KOZHIKODE: When first their father and then mother left them behind, Anuroopa and Arya were too young to comprehend big words like insecurity or anxiety, which the elders kept mentioning while sympathising with them. All that the two sisters knew was they had only themselves and two old grandparents to share all their fears, sorrows and hardship. They lived with that for the next 15 years. Now, they are not just feeling a sense of relief, but constantly sporting a happy face. They thank the Balussery Police, above all, who came with a fine gesture recently to adopt the 19 and 18-year-olds.
The Balussery Police have entrusted officers Sreeja and Rashid with their safety while everybody at the station pools in money to create a fund for the girls’ studies. They have opened a bank account in the sisters’ name while many others chipped in. “I feel very happy with our gesture. I’ve four kids now,” Sreeja told Express. The officers came to know about the sisters’ plight when they reached the station to file a complaint saying their mother’s second husband had taken away the money she had given to buy a mobile phone. “What we came to know about in the subsequent inquiry was shocking. The department quickly decided to adopt them,” she said.
Anuroopa, a BSc Physics second-year student, and Arya, in her first year of Secretarial Practice, do not even remember the face of their father, who had abandoned them when Anuroopa was just six months old and her mother was carrying Arya, to marry a second time. Three years later their mother followed suit.
Their maternal grandparents, despite their old age, took care of them. Future had looked bleak for them back then. “I secured the highest marks for Sanskrit in my school which ensured me a special grant. I received it for four years. This took care of our education,” said Anuroopa. Having scored high marks in both the Class X and Class XII Board exams, she is confident of repeating it in the degree course as well. “I want to be a space scientist. I know it’s really hard. But I would like to work hard to reach the heights,” said Anuroopa. She said her sister is equally ambitious. “Arya wants to be a chartered accountant. She is also putting in a lot of effort in her studies,” said Anuroopa.Now that they are secure, they can be more optimistic about realising their dreams.