Love, aid start pouring in for 70-yr-old Paranthe Wale Bebeji

* DC hands over a cheque for Rs 50K

* Women panel chief pays visit, offers the elderly entrepreneur a few goodies

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 7

Touched by a viral video showing her persistent efforts to sustain herself even at the age of 70 by making paranthas at the roadside near Phagwara Gate market, the district administration as well as the Punjab State Women Commission have come forward to offer Paranthe Wale Bebeji some financial support.

Kamlesh Kumari, popularly known as Bebeji, has been working from 7 pm till 1 am at her shop for the past over 30 years. Peddling her cycle and carrying stuff, including wheat flour, boiled potatoes along, she has been a popular face in the city.

After her video went viral on social media, the women commission chief, Manisha Gulati, paid a visit at her stall last night. She sat there and savoured her parantha. She also took along some gifts for her, including a blanket, and said she would take up the matter with the administration asking the officials to enquire as to why an elderly woman had to strive so hard at this age and why her children were not taking care of her.

Bebeji, however, said her children does not earn enough to meet the expenses of her medicines and other needs and hence, she always found it more convenient to work and make her own income. She said she had no grudges against her son and daughter. Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori on Saturday issued her a cheque for Rs50,000.

SDM Dr Jai Inder Singh accompanied by District Social Security Officer Varinder Bains on Saturday visited the house of Kamlesh Kumari in Parkash Nagar locality and handed it over to her besides enquiring about her well-being.

Thori said on the direction of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, financial assistance from the CSR funds had been provided to her as an encouragement to this elderly entrepreneur. In addition to this, the CM has also announced a financial help of Rs1 lakh for her. The DC said this aid, too, would be provided to Kamlesh Kumari soon. Further, the CM has directed the administration to offer its services to the old woman and help her in meeting her daily needs, the DC said.