Published on: 10/5/2015IST

Anuj Tiwari Last updated on: 10/5/2015, Permalink

---

---

Anjali Bisaria

She was once India's pride; to a point that a postal stamp was issued in her honour by the Indian government. She was a famous performer of the country's most noted dance forms - Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Kathakali. She was also very closely associated with the Gandhi-Nehru family, especially with Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi.

But now Tara Balgopal, the 80-year-old veteran dancer lives in absolute poverty, slowly passing her days on charity. 

The government's indifference is palpable. The dismal condition that she lives in reeks of the unabashed attitude that the country has assumed towards a legend who deserves more.

For her neighbours, Tara Balgopal is no more than a 'Madrasi' woman living in a 'Punjabi' locality in Delhi's Rajouri Garden. 

She has to her name a plethora of accolades and awards - bestowed upon by India's Prime Ministers - that have decayed over the course of time, telling a tale of utter neglect and disrespect. Here, she is photographed with the postal stamp she was honoured with in 1962 after she'd performed in the Parliament in 1960.

Ms. Balgopal also held a respectable post of Reader in English at Delhi University's Rajdhani College. She also became the first Indian teacher to conduct UG courses on All India Radio in 1963.

However, post her retirement, she hasn't been given her due benefits by the University, against which she has an open case in court. To make matters more deplorable, the University claims to have lost Ms. Balgopal's file.

Banks and insurance companies too have turned a deaf ear to her misery and withheld her money and personal property. Ms. Balgopal is awaiting the Indian government to sit up and take notice of her endless fight with the authorities. 

We salute her indomitable spirit, and urge the nation to come forward in Ms. Balgopal's support, and to help awake a sleeping government to alleviate this senior citizen's plight.