Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 18: A deaf and mute lady found in the railway station here four decades ago has made the police station her home. She is now past 60 and has no other relatives other than the police personnel. Her Aadhar card has the address of the police station.

The lady was in her 20s when she was found. The police gave her the name, Honnamma. After developing sympathy for her, a police officer had, on humanitarian concerns, given the lady shelter in the Bunder police station here. Efforts to treat her condition and to find her relatives have failed.

Honnamma, in spite of her disability, moves around fast, cleans up the station and assists the police. She has been given a separate room in the back where she cooks her food. Honnamma accompanies the staff at all parties, programmes or auspicious occasions.

Honnamma has her Aadhar card, bank account, and voters’ identity card. In all her documents, her permanent address is Bunder police station. On special occasions, the police personnel give her money.

She has accumulated her savings in her bank account. She promptly exercises her vote during elections. The police are trying to get her facilities meant for senior citizens including old-age pension.

Retired deputy superintendent of police, Jayanth Shetty, recalls that Honnamma was an orphan from Tamil Nadu and that she was given a job in the police station after seeing that she was quick. He said that the police gave her shelter for life and that was a huge help for her.