Friday, January 30, 2009

HUNGER STALKS KARUTHAMMA !

Please meet KARUTHAMMA. Her husband’s name is KANNAN. She is from Thrikkakara but living with her husband in Eroor. She is 77 and her husband is 85. Her husband is very sick and he cannot work. They have no children. They had some property which was sold to meet the medical expenses of her husband. Her relatives are not interested in her. She herself suffers from back aches. She has few goats which she sells to get some money. Many days in a month she has no money and no food. Sometimes kindly neighbors give her some food and some times some old clothes.


When I started talking to her, she wanted to pour out all her sorrows. She talked and talked and I only had to listen. I was drowning in her sorrows. I couldn’t bear it any more. Finally I took out a Rs.50 (US$1) from my purse and gave it to her. She took it with immense gratitude and I could see a big tear drop falling from her eyes. She blessed me several times.


I walked away with a heavy heart.


May God bless her and help her.

22 comments:

Mel said...

Greetings Joseph!

Your posts about these beautiful people always serve to remind me how blessed we are, and how much need there is in the world. Thank you for giving this precious lady some money. Thank you for sharing her story with us. Just think how many people will be praying for her because of you! :)

God bless her, and you!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Mel :)

I am amazed at the lightning speed of your comment. I just can't believe it. I looks as though you are standing close to me. Fantastic!

Many, many thanks.

God bless you and your family :)

Unknown said...

I feel so sorry for all Karuthammas in this world! If politicians had to live one day at least under such conditions, maybe, just maybe, the world could be a better place for those who really have to strugle for a living!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi JM :)

Many thanks for your very thought provoking comments. I fully agree with your statement.

Best wishes :)

Unknown said...

Hi JPC, U are very kind and generous. May GOD bless U.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Paul :)

I am delighted to see you again. Where were you hiding all these days?

Best wishes :)

Femin Susan said...

you are very kind. i think karuthamma will never forget you....
Nice photos....

Maria said...

Hallo Joseph, thank you for your visit and your nice comment on my blog.
Thank you also for sharing your story about the poor woman. You are so kind to give her some money. I agree with Mel and include you into my prayers!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Maria :)

I am thrilled to see you.

Many thanks for your comments and your prayers.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Susan :)

Many thanks for your comments.

Cora said...

Hi..I'm impressed with your blog...I'll keep visiting you. Thank's a lot :)

FCB said...

Hi Joseph,
Thanks for this emotional post.
I like what JM said - "If politicians had to live one day at least under such conditions, maybe, just maybe, the world could be a better place for those who really have to strugle for a living!"
I have no doubt that would change some priorities in government.
This is a world full of needs and Jesus told us the poor would be with us always, so we will always have ways to serve and help God by loving the poor.
God bless Joseph, I was getting very eager to see a new post, thanks for sharing,
Fred

Mark D. said...

Joseph,

Thank you for this post and for the photos. This is a story that many of us in the West need to see and hear more regularly. In our affluence, we often forget the struggles of those who are much closer to the margins of life than we ourselves are.

Thank you for reaching out to this woman, and for letting us see her in her dignity and in her need.

When confronted with such poverty, it is often easy for us to ask "what can we do?" It is easy to attack systems and politicians -- who doesn't like to do that??? But as we are calling for reform and for greater empathy from those in power, what are we ourselves doing. You did something -- you reached out to her and provided her with some tangible help in the form of money. What do the rest of us do when confronted with such situations?

When Jesus told the story of Lazarus and the rich man, he did not tell the story to show the moral bankruptcy of politicians and economic systems. He told the story to show the moral bankruptcy of the rich man when he was faced directly with the suffering of the poor. How do we ourselves react in similar circumstances? Would I react as you did?

Thank you again for this incredible post, Joseph. Every time I visit your blog, I learn something new, and I am challenged to think. Thank you so much for such a gift!

Cheers!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Cora :)

Many thanks for your visit.

Your blog is very interesting also.

I will also visit your blog.

Best wishes :)

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Fred :)

Many thanks for your interesting insight on the post.

Best wishes :)

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Mark :)

Many, many thanks for the motivating, inspiring and thought provoking comment.

Yes, I agree with you that we should do whatever we can when confronted with a person like Karuthamma who is in dire need of help.

Best wishes:)

SkyJuice said...

Hi Joseph,

May God bless you, Karuthamma and Kannan. Thanks for sharing.

Have a good day! :-)

Manivannan Sadasivam said...

Dear sir,

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. It's really kind of you to help people in real need. I'm really happy that God sent you to her.

My sincere prayer and wishes!

And sir, photos of those scrumptious delicacies are wonderful. But, I think, you could have posted them separately. Or have you posted to show the stark difference of our society?

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Skyjuice :)

Many thanks for your visit and for your comments.

Best wishes :)

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Mani :)


very good question. I posted those photos of food to show that we people are blessed thousands of times with all good things in life whereas there are people like Karuthamma who are starving.

Many thanks for your visit and your comments.

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

So moving! The pictures of delicious food balanced with Karuthamma's story of hunger....Isn't this the real face of India.

Rhapsody Phoenix said...

hmmmmmmmm...Namaste, life sometimes deals you a hand you feel you cannot play. It is sad that hunger chases her and in many parts of the world people discard food like a fart in the wind, without second thought or consideration.

Food pictures are wonderful and only serve to make me hungry. However it is 1:41 am and i cannot eat at such an hour. I have but to drink some water and go to sleep to rise (God willing) to work.

Stay blessed Joseph.