Heartbreaking Tale of Abandonment: Padma Shri Awardee Dies Alone in Old Age Home

The heartbreaking story of Shri Nath Khandelwal, a Padma Shri awardee, highlights the tragic reality of family abandonment in modern society. Despite his significant contributions to literature and spirituality, he was forced to live in an old age home by his own children. After his passing at 80, none of his family members attended his last rites, leaving him to be honored by social workers instead. This tale serves as a stark reminder of the changing dynamics within families and the often-overlooked plight of the elderly.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 14, 2026, 23:52 IST

A Disturbing Reality of Modern Family Dynamics

An old saying goes, 'If a child is unworthy, what is the use of wealth? If a child is worthy, what is the use of wealth?' This adage is becoming increasingly relevant today, as many individuals prefer to distance themselves from their families, including their own parents.

Children, driven by self-interest, often overlook the love and care of their parents. A poignant example of this can be observed among the residents of old age homes.

A particularly tragic incident occurred in Varanasi, where Shri Nath Khandelwal, a Padma Shri awardee and owner of an estate worth 80 crores, was forced to live in an old age home by his own children. He passed away at the age of 80 in the facility, with no family member present to pay their last respects.

A Padma Shri Awardee in 2023

Shri Nath Khandelwal, a resident of Kashi, authored over a hundred books, earning him the Padma Shri award in 2023. He had two sons and a daughter; his son is a businessman, while his daughter practices law in the Supreme Court. Besides being a writer, he was also a spiritual figure.

Children Seized All Assets

Despite his immense wealth, Shri Nath Khandelwal was deeply engrossed in his literary and spiritual pursuits. His children took advantage of this, seizing all his assets and leaving him destitute and ill on the streets. Eventually, social workers brought him to the Kashi Kusht Ashram, where he received free care and was relatively content, yet not a single family member visited him.

Final Rites Funded by Donations

After his health deteriorated in the old age home, he was admitted to the ICU, where he ultimately passed away. Ironically, when his children were informed of his death, they declined to attend his last rites, citing their busy schedules, while his daughter also turned away. In the end, a social worker named Aman collected donations to conduct Shri Nath Khandelwal's last rites with due respect.