Elderly man dies of starvation in Karimnagar
A 78-year-old man, Kalvakota Vijayender Rao, died of starvation in Garshakurthy village of Karimnagar district. Once from a landlord family, he lived alone in poverty, struggled with illness and lack of food, and was unable to withdraw his pension
Karimnagar: In a tragic incident, an elderly man, Kalvakota Vijayender Rao (78), died of starvation in Garshakurthy of Gangadhara mandal on Friday. Though born into a landlord’s family, Vijayender Rao became poor due to the loss of properties over a period of time. Moreover, he stayed alone as all other family members, except his daughter, had died.
Loneliness and poor financial conditions forced him to lead a life without food for days together. A leg fracture and age-related health problems added to his difficulties. Unable to tolerate hunger, he started begging in the village. Vijayender Rao, who had not taken proper food for some time, finally died of starvation.
According to villagers, Vijayender Rao’s father Kalvakota Hanumantha Rao worked as Mali Patel and Vathandar of Garshakurthy during the Nizam’s period. Hanumantha Rao, who ruled the area, died 50 years ago. His wife Prameela Bai and elder son Narayana Rao also died two and a half decades ago. The family, which had 200 acres of Vathan land, lost everything during the period of Hanumantha Rao and Narayana Rao. Nothing was left for Vijayender Rao.
Vijayender Rao, who used to work in Deshai Beedi Company to run the family, lost his employment after the company closed its unit in the village. He became lonely and fell sick following the death of his wife Sumitra Bai. Vijayender Rao, who used to eat when someone donated a meal, started seeking alms as he could not bear hunger. Though he was eligible for Rs 2,016 Aasara pension, he was unable to go to the bank to withdraw the pension amount due to a leg fracture. Though his daughter is alive, she is also in poor condition.
