mumbai

Updated: Dec 17, 2017 20:02 IST

An 85-year-old Good Samaritan has offered to sponsor the education of Swapnali, 12, whose mother Sharda Ghodeswar, 45, died after a 40-ft gulmohar tree fell on her in Chembur on December 7.

Ghodeswar worked as house help to support her husband and three children -- Sumit, Sushant and Swapnali. Ghodeswar’s husband, Sahdev, works as a painter.

The incident took place when Ghodeswar was waiting at the bus stop. Passers-by rushed her to Shatabdi hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.

After reading newspaper reports, the senior citizen approached the Govandi police station, which is investigating the case. The police gave the man their contact details after which he met the family. “I am connected with three NGOs that work for skill development across the state. She can stay at their centres and complete her education,” said the man, who does not wish him to be identified.

The NGOs impart skills such as weaving, stitching and others. “If the girl turns out to be a bright student, I am willing to pay her university fees and even send her abroad for studies,” said the man.

The family has been told about the three institutes where Swapnali can get enrolled. “I have contacted the institutions who readily agreed to give a seat,” said the man. “The family is poor. It is my duty to serve society.”

Her family has decided that Swapnali, a Class 7 student, will complete her current term in the city, after which she will consider the three options.

On learning that the family took a loan of Rs15,000 for Ghodeswar’s last rites, the staff members of Govandi police station pooled in money. Senior police inspector Shashikant Mane and his staff visited the family’s home in Chembur on Friday morning to hand it over to them.