Jajpur, July 2: Every morning begins the same way for 78-year-old Saudamini Sahu. Before she can think about herself, she must attend to her only son—feeding him, bathing him, helping him with basic needs and ensuring he remains calm. It is a routine she has followed for the last 25 years.
Her husband is gone. Age has weakened her body, dimmed her eyesight and bent her back. Yet, the burden she carries is far heavier than old age. Her 47-year-old son, Satyanarayan, suffers from a severe mental illness that has left him chained inside their modest home in Prakatpur village under Dasarathpur Panchayat.
For a few hours each day, Satyanarayan appears gentle and quiet. But without warning, his behaviour changes. He becomes uncontrollable, making it impossible for his elderly mother to manage him alone. It is this painful reality that forced the family to take the heartbreaking decision of keeping him restrained—something no parent would ever wish for their child.
Years ago, Saudamini and her late husband, Raghunath Sahu, had dreamt of a different future. Their only son excelled in studies, completed Higher Secondary Science and earned an ITI diploma in Electronics. They believed he would build a career, become self-reliant and support them in their old age.
But destiny had other plans.
When Satyanarayan was around 22 years old, his life changed overnight. He stopped sleeping, lost interest in food and began wandering aimlessly. At home, he would often damage household belongings and become difficult to control. Doctors could not reverse his condition despite years of treatment.
Determined to restore their son's health, the couple travelled to hospitals in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, consulting psychiatrists at both government and private medical institutions. They spent every rupee they had saved over a lifetime and even borrowed money, hoping for a cure. Nothing worked.
The emotional and financial burden took its toll. In 2018, Raghunath passed away, leaving Saudamini to fight the battle alone.
Today, despite her frail health, Saudamini continues to shoulder every responsibility. She helps her son with his daily routine—from bathing and feeding him to assisting him with personal care. Every day is a test of endurance, yet she carries on with remarkable resilience.
After years of struggle, Satyanarayan was issued a 75 per cent disability certificate. The assessment entitles him to a monthly disability pension of only Rs 1,000. Had the disability been assessed at 80 per cent or above, he would have been eligible for Rs 3,000 every month. The family also receives 5 kg of rice under the Food Security Scheme, assistance that barely meets their needs.
As age catches up with her, Saudamini worries about a question that haunts countless elderly caregivers: What will happen to her son when she is no longer there?
With folded hands and fading hope, she has appealed to the authorities and kind-hearted individuals for support. She wants her son to receive a higher disability assessment, better financial assistance and access to proper treatment.
For Saudamini, it is no longer about fulfilling dreams. It is simply about ensuring that her son can live with dignity—and that a mother's lifelong struggle does not end in silence.
