Kolkata: Deb Kumar’s father was diagnosed with a physical disability at the age of 5. The maternal grandparents suffered a lot while raising him. Even the immediate family members were not kind to his father; his uncle would constantly tease him for not being able to play like other kids. 

Deb Kumar Malik grew up and understood the social situations. His heart goes out to all those people who don’t have a shelter over their heads and live on the mercy of other people. His journey began with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the elderly. 

He decided to contribute his bit by organizing a campaign. He started to provide food to 300 senior citizens daily. Soon the numbers increased to 486. Deb Kumar shares that if a child does not return home on time, the parents get worried sick. Whereas on the other hand, the old parents are neglected by their own children in their frail state. 

Braving through resistance

Deb Kumar Malik is a resident of Barnagar, Kolkata. The name of his organization is ‘Jai Ram Seva Ashram’. Jai Ram was the name of his guide and teacher. Deb’s work involves visiting the houses of those senior citizens who live in poor conditions in their own houses. He courageously confronts resistance, visiting elderly individuals whose own children withhold food from them, even though this has led to him facing attacks from those uncomfortable with their neglectful behaviour. 

Deb’s own expenses

Deb Kumar does not accept donations from anyone. He organized this social service programme solely for the purpose of serving the elderly. Deb shares that when he buys clothing for his family, he also buys clothing for the elderly. He provides them with free medicines and makes sure that they receive timely treatment. He has plans for opening an old age home in the future where he will provide free services to all the senior citizens. 

Delivering food

Deb Kumar often receives complaints from people to whose houses he delivers the food. These people complain to the counsellors to prevent Deb from delivering food to their homes for their old parents. Deb remains resolute, insisting that he will only cease these services if the children commit to caring for their parents’ health. 

A public appeal

Deb Kumar shares that people who are well off, send their parents to old age homes and stay connected with them by calling them once a month. He emphasizes that parents should not be abandoned and this disturbing trend among people must be opposed. The whole scenario looks contemptible if looked from the right perspective. Parents don’t raise their kids well only to be sent to old age homes. 

Deb further shares experiences of people who go through worse situations. Some elderlies are left alone on bus stands, train platforms and footpaths on the pretext that their kids will come back soon after having finished a quick errand. And in fact, they never return back. In these cases, the elderlies are left with no other choice than to wander hopelessly on roads and sleeping on the footpaths. 

Deb’s ultimate goal is to foster a world where everyone can lead a dignified life and to awaken those who heartlessly neglect their aging parents and leave them in old age homes in the care of strangers.