A former Delhi University teacher,Tara Balagopal, who had once been guardian angel to the famous, is in desperate poverty even though the university owes her about Rs.2 crore. But it won't pay because it has lost the file on her service record. "After I retired over 15 years ago, I did not get any pension and my remaining salary was not given to me. When I asked the university authorities, they said that my files were missing," said Tara who tried to put up a brave face in the midst of the adversity she is facing right now.

Once a recipient of a postal stamp, Ms. Balgopal's name was reduced to a "Madrasi" woman who passed her days on charity in Delhi's Rajouri Garden. 80-year-old Tara Balgopal was one of the most well-known dancers of Kathak, Kathakali and Bharatanatyam our country has ever seen. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday called and offered help to the veteran danseuse who is living in a state of penury in the national capital. "I have spoken to Ms Tara Balgopal. I have understood the problem. We will help her," Sushma tweeted. She also tweeted saying, "Shri Subhash Arya BJP leader and ex Mayor of South Delhi will call on her today." Swaraj's initiative comes in the backdrop of the danseuse's situation going viral on social media.