Tragic Tale of Abandonment: A Padma Shri Awardee's Final Days

A Heartbreaking Reality

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, even their parents.

Children, driven by their own interests, often overlook the love and care of their parents. A stark example of this can be observed among residents of old age homes.

A particularly distressing case emerged from 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. Tragically, he passed away at the age of 80 in the facility, with no family member present to pay their last respects or to carry his body.

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 Seize 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 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 ensure that Shri Nath Khandelwal received a proper farewell.