A Neighbor's Prompt Action Changed an Elderly Aunty's Life

[Nityam Ghosh]

Today in the Bhasa Line area of Bhatpara Tea Garden, during the SALT session, a 30‑year‑old young man, Mr. Kartik Gowala, shared the proudest story of his life, which is deeply inspiring for me.

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A few years ago, an elderly woman in our village suddenly fell ill. She had no son. She had one daughter, and her husband had already passed away. In the tea garden she did not get permanent work. She used to do temporary “bigha” work, which lasts only 3–4 months during the tea‑leaf season. For the rest of the year, she ran her household by doing daily wage labour here and there.

Suddenly, her health deteriorated badly. When I got the news, I took her to the hospital and got her treated. She remained admitted for many days. The doctors advised treatment, but at that time there was a small girl alone at home. Aunty became very emotional—who would look after her daughter, who would care for her, what would she eat?

Mr. Kartik said, “Aunty, please don’t worry. We are here.” Aunty said that someone would also have to take care of the girl’s food and daily needs. Mr. Kartik reassured her, “Everything is arranged in our house. She will stay with my mother. We will lock your house.” This calmed Aunty.

Mr. Kartik took full responsibility for her food, care, medicines, etc. every day, until she was discharged. In the end, her health completely recovered. After dropping her home, his family gave her some money to run the household for a few days, so that she could manage until she found work again. A few days later Aunty got bigha work again, and her life became easier.

Brother Kartik says, “This was the proudest moment of my life.”

Main strengths of Mr. Kartik

Readiness and initiative: The moment he heard about the illness, he immediately took her to the hospital—this shows that he is alert and action‑oriented.

Empathy and emotional support: Understanding Aunty’s fear (worry for her daughter) and telling her “We are here” is a heart‑touching strength.

Sense of community: Helping like a neighbour without expecting anything in return, which in a tea‑garden context is rare but very powerful.

Ability to inspire others: Calling this his proud moment and sharing it in SALT spreads encouragement among others.

My learning as a SALT facilitator

Solving rural challenges: In situations of loneliness and seasonal unemployment, neighbourly help becomes the strongest resource.

Bringing out hidden community strengths: Initiatives like those of Mr. Kartik (readiness, empathy, responsibility) exist in every village. In SALT, the task is to stimulate them.

When, during the SALT session, Mr. Kartik was asked about his community, he shared a deep thought:

“Everyone should live together with a sense of brotherhood. In today’s fast‑paced outside life, this has been lost. Life has been given to us so that we can do good for others. If you selflessly do good for others, one day good will come back to you as well. Do not think ill of anyone. If someone thinks ill of you, do not hold a feeling of revenge. There are many community members in our village whose thinking is very good.”

What went well in today’s conversation, and why?

Mr. Kartik said: “You asked about me, you made me aware of my strengths. Because of this I felt even more encouraged.”

What could have been better in the conversation?

Mr. Kartik suggested: “It would have been good if other community members were also present. We could have understood and learned about their feelings and their thoughts about the community as well.”

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Lets discuss this. Thanks