At 80, she is a lesson in humanity

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 23

Following the ideology of her mentor Vimla Dang (Padma Shree), renowned social and political activist, 80-year-old Rajni Malhotra has never backed down from taking up challenges in the hour of need. True to her belief, she was among the first batch of volunteers to report at the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital after the train accident at Joda Phatak brought in several victims in need of immediate medical attention.

“My son got to know about the news from his friends. When he shared it with me, I asked my granddaughter and my son to get ready and all three of us reached the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital at around 11 pm for blood donation,” says Rajni, a resident of New Ranjitpura in Chheherta. She was asked to wait by the medical officers as she saw survivors being brought in. However, doctors didn’t feel the need to take her blood.

“It was deeply disturbing to see so many young being brought dead, even kids. It was one of the most difficult nights of my life and I have seen many during my lifetime,” she shared.

Rajni was a close aide of social activists couple Satpal and Vimla Dang and she had been a part of several social campaigns during her time, including several women rights movement during 1970s. She had also worked actively as a volunteer during the 1971 war. “I believe that as a citizen and as a human being it is my most basic duty to help my fellow beings when they need it. I do not consider it a commendable task. It’s what one is supposed to do,” she adds.

An inspiration for her granddaughter and grandson, both in their early twenties, Rajni also volunteered for Swacch Bharat movement in her colony.