Homeless Mother Counts Childrens Breath to Ensure Their Safety in Delhi

Abida Begum, 40, mother of three, resides on a concrete footpath in New Delhi’s Hazarat Nizamuddin area. On a recent morning, she was observed sitting on the pavement, watching over her sleeping children. The family’s belongings, consisting of a torn blanket, an aluminum pot, and utensils, were stored in a dust-coated bag.

Abida has lived on this footpath for 30 years, initially arriving with her mother from Dhubri in Assam. She grew up begging in the neighborhood and later married a rickshaw puller, but the relationship ended when he abandoned her and their five children. The family faces various challenges, including harassment by police officials and municipal authorities, as well as abuse from strangers.

The family’s daily routine involves collecting money or leftover food from motorists at traffic lights and nearby eateries. Abida often skips meals to ensure her children eat first. Due to years of scarce meals, her body has weakened. When breastfeeding her youngest child, three-year-old Soni, she uses a gap between two concrete pillars for privacy.

The family uses public toilets, which cost 10 rupees per person, and public showers, charging 20 rupees per person. After sunset, Abida sweeps away dust and debris from the footpath to create a makeshift bed for her and her children.

Tragedy struck on November 5th, 2023, when a speeding car crashed into Abida and her children while they were sleeping. The incident resulted in the deaths of two of her children, Sonia and Amir, who were trapped beneath the vehicle. Abida collected their bodies with her own hands and is still grieving.

The family’s current situation remains precarious, with no clear solution to their housing and financial challenges.

Source: Al Jazeera