'Pride' of Kumaon University forced to beg, had taken on political heavyweights

Hansi Prahari, who was once a prominent student leader in Uttarakhand, has now been forced to beg on the streets of Haridwar. Hansi had in the past contested in the Assembly elections against present lawmakers including former union minister Ajay Tamta.

Haridwar (Uttarakhand): In a heartbreaking tale, Hansi, a woman who speaks fluent English and was once the pride of Kumaon University, has now been forced to beg on the streets of Haridwar, at railway and bus stations, and on the ghats of the Ganga.

Hansi's family hails from Rankhila village in Almora district. She was the eldest among five siblings. While her father used to do small jobs, Hansi managed to graduate from a small school in the village and later made it to the Kumaon University.

Hansi, who was always a bright student, came into news when she became the Vice-President of the Students' Union of Kumaon University. After her MA in English and Political Science from Kumaon University, Hansa worked as a librarian at the same university for four years.

However, Hansi's life suddenly took an ugly turn.

Hansi's marksheet from the Kumaon University

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Hansi said, "I was good in my studies, I was focused in school, I used to participate in creative programs like debates, calligraphy competitions. When I reached university, I was also involved in creative competitions, attended the NCC-NSS camp, and supported NGOs. I was the Girls' Vice-President of Kumaon University in 1999-2000."

"Man proposes God disposes. I had many dreams to realise in life. Even I don’t know how my life got spoiled in such a short time. My own people deserted me. I went through a spell of depression from which I could not get out and landed myself in such a situation," she said.

Hansi's letter to the chief medical officer

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Though she did not express it openly, Hansi indicated that her present condition was due to problems in her marital life. However, she said she does not want her family to be affected due to her misfortune.

After problems in her marital life, she suffered through bouts of depression and became inclined towards religion. She decided to leave her family and came down to live in the holy city of Haridwar. Meanwhile, her health too deteriorated, and she was not in a state to take up any job. She was compelled to take to begging for survival. However, Hansi now feels that if she is given proper medical treatment, an abode to stay and take care of her children, she will be ready to once again take up a job.

Hansi said that she has been begging in Haridwar since 2012 to survive, and to support the upbringing of her six-year-old son. Hansi has two children. While her daughter lives with her grandmother, the son lives with her on the footpath.

"I thought that since my son lives with me I should take care of his education. I have got my son admitted to a school. People help me for his education," Hansi said.

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Hansi, who speaks English fluently, takes time off to teach her son English, Hindi, and even Sanskrit sitting on the footpath. She wants to impart whatever knowledge and education she has gained to her son and daughter. She wishes for her children to be educated and get government jobs.

Multiple appeals to the chief minister

Hansi said that she has written to the chief minister several times for help and met officials of the state secretariat and assembly many a time. She has even preserved copies of all these documents.

Had contested election against present lawmakers

ETV Bharat learnt that Hansi had contested Assembly elections in 2002 from Someshwar constituency as an independent candidate against the present lawmakers Pradeep Tamta and Ajay Tamta. The villagers had persuaded her to contest the election, as she was an educated person. She had polled 2,000 more votes than former union minister and present MP Ajay Tamta.

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When ETV Bharat contacted Rajya Sabha member Pradeep Tamta, he confirmed the above and said Hansi was an educated candidate in that election. Everyone thought till the very end that the girl would bring about some change. However, she could not win the election, he said.

When the MP was told that she was now forced to beg on the streets, Tamta inquired about her wellbeing.

Our appeal

The purpose behind this ETV Bharat report is to let the government know that a well-educated girl from the hills is today compelled to take to begging to survive. If the government decides to help her, she would be able to live under a roof and provide a decent life to her children.