RWAs, NGOs work to stop such incidents

Following the death of a woman, who along with her sister took to self-deprivation, efforts are on to prepare a blueprint to make sure no resident in the city suffers in isolation because of lack of adequate help. Darpan Singh reports.

Following the death of a woman, who along with her sister took to self-deprivation, efforts are on to prepare a blueprint to make sure no resident in the city suffers in isolation because of lack of adequate help.

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Representatives of NGOs, resident welfare associations (RWAs) and social activists, besides several other organisations, have agreed upon new guidelines to be implemented in the sectors.

No political parties have been made part of the endeavour.

The representatives met on Thursday and admitted that there were fault on their part at some stages otherwise the sisters could have been extricated out of the darkness they kept slipping into over time.

Mahesh Sharma, a doctor who was part of the meet, said: “We have requested the district magistrate to set up a cell, which can deal with cases of people suffering in silence. He has responded positively.”

The blueprint says there will be a core committee with one representative from each sector. “Two volunteers in each block of a sector will be responsible for social security. They will identify people who need help, prepare a list and inform the NGOs, administration, RWAs or any other body which can offer help,” said another member at the meeting.

Representatives of about 30 NGOs and RWAs of most sectors took part in the meeting held at a city hospital in Noida. Presidents and secretaries of the RWAs promised they would take immediate and concrete steps to implement the blueprint guidelines agreed upon for better social security. Bodies such Lions Club, Rotary Club, Lokmanch and Navratna Jankalyan Samiti urged people to be more sensitive.

The RWAs had come under severe attack after the two sisters were rescued on Tuesday after months of self-confinement as the RWA office-bearers of sector 29 did not to intervene strongly despite having noticed any activity in the sisters’ house for long.

Shakuntala Sirohi, who attended the meet, defended the neighbours saying, “The sisters never accepted any help.”

Sonali stable but still in ICU

The condition of Sonali Bahal, one of the two sisters who were rescued on Tuesday from self-imposed confinement, was said to be stable. However, doctors at Kailash Hospital, where she was being treated, said her blood pressure was yet to stabilise.

Sonali’s elder sister Anuradha died on Wednesday due to multiple organ failure.

Doctors said Sonali was responding well to treatment. “She is responding to medicines, but her blood pressure is still fluctuating,” a doctor at the hospital said. Sonali has been diagnosed with malnutrition, dehydration and depression.