Grandmother's sacrifice: Family duties eclipse festive celebrations

Caring for family members has become the primary focus for Nagamma, a 63-year-old grandmother navigating the dual responsibilities of raising four grandchildren while tending to her bedridden husband. The weight of these obligations has left little room for personal observance of the Festival of Lights, one of the year's most significant celebrations for Hindu communities across South and Southeast Asia.

Managing a modest household income, Nagamma faces daily challenges that extend beyond typical caregiving duties. A leg injury has further limited her mobility and capacity to earn, placing additional strain on the family's financial situation. Despite these hardships, she continues to prioritise the wellbeing and upbringing of her grandchildren, ensuring they receive the care and support necessary for their development.

Her situation reflects the broader reality faced by many elderly caregivers across the region who balance competing needs within their households. For Nagamma, the festival season brings not the typical preparations of cleaning, cooking, and celebration, but rather an intensified focus on meeting the day-to-day requirements of her dependents. The sacrifice underscores the quiet resilience demonstrated by countless grandparents who serve as primary caregivers in multigenerational families throughout South Asia.