At 64, Mahesh Devi often sits quietly outside her small home in the narrow lanes of Mayapuri, watching the world move past her. For many years, life was full of activity. She had a family to care for, a home to manage, and a husband who worked hard each day to keep the household running. Today, much of that life has faded into memories.
Mahesh Devi came to Delhi nearly forty years ago from a small village in Uttar Pradesh with her husband, hoping to build a better future. Like thousands of families who migrate to the city, they arrived with very little but the determination to survive. Her husband worked as a daily wage labourer, taking whatever work he could find, and together they raised three children, two sons and a daughter, in the crowded lanes of the Mayapuri slum community.
Twelve years ago, her husband passed away after a long illness. His death left a deep emptiness in her life and also took away the only steady support she had. As the years passed, her children married and started their own families, moving away to build their lives. For the past seven years, Mahesh Devi has been living alone in her small room, managing each day by herself.
There were days when the silence inside her home felt heavy. The responsibilities that once filled her time were gone, and the loneliness of old age slowly began to take hold.
In earlier years, Mahesh Devi used to visit the Asha Centre to participate in women’s group activities. Those gatherings brought laughter, friendship, and a sense of belonging. As her age increased and her health began to weaken, her connection with Asha took a new form.
Today, she is part of Asha’s geriatric care services and the Love and Lunch programme, which has become an important part of her daily life. The centre is now a place where she finds companionship, care, and people who notice when she is unwell or struggling.
During a routine health check at the centre, Mahesh Devi was diagnosed with high blood pressure. The Senior Nurse Practitioner at Asha immediately began regular monitoring, providing medicines and guiding her on how to manage her health. With regular check ups and continued medical support, her blood pressure is now under control.
Asha’s care extends beyond medical treatment. Mahesh Devi receives a monthly ration kit that helps ensure she has enough food to eat. During the harsh winter months, the Asha team also provided her with blankets and a warm shawl, small gestures that make daily life a little easier for someone living alone.
Today, Mahesh Devi walks into the Asha Centre with a gentle smile. The place that once felt like a community centre has now become something far more meaningful. It is a space where she is welcomed, where her health is cared for, and where she knows that someone is paying attention to her wellbeing.
