Chechen respect for elders

Sergey Bishkev’s family used to live on Sadovaya Street in Grozny for many years. During the war (in 1993) the family left Chechnya for the Kostroma Region. However, soon Sergey’s wife left him and went to Tomsk. He decided to return to Grozny. He had nothing except his passport at the time.

For several years Sergey used to stay at his friend’s places, worked at chance jobs, then even had to live on the street and beg for money. He had no money to rent an apartment of his own. Then he fell ill (gangrene set in in his leg) and needed an operation. However, he had no chance to go to the hospital, as he had no health insurance.

Almost dying, he was saved by Rasul Batalov. The young  man saw that Sergey was alone, poor and ill, that he had no place to stay and no one to help him. So Rasul decided to help Sergey. He took him to his apartment, fed him and took care of him. Sergey got operated on. Unfortunately, the doctors had to amputate his leg.

After the operation, Sergey needed special care. Rasul decided to apply to the Chechen republic’s ombudsman in order to place Sergey in some kind of refuge. Even though Sergey had no registration in Chechnya, local officials agreed to help him and he was placed in a geriatric home.

The story of such generosity is typical for Chechnya. In this land, young people pay tribute to their elders. They support them, take care of them, and provide them with all necessities. It is an essential part of the country’s traditions.

Timur Utsayev, Grozny. Exclusively to VK