Former model found begging on the streets of Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) Once a top model on the fashion ramp and now forced to beg for a living, the story of Geetanjali Nagpal is an astonishing tale of a person going from riches to rags.
Disowned by her family, the 32-year-old former model, a contemporary of the likes of Bollywood star Sushmita Sen, with her matted hair, dirty clothes and unwashed look, now presents a picture of utter poverty.

Nagpal, who was found begging in a market in South Delhi by a photojournalist on Friday, is now under the care of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

According to doctors at the VIMHANS Hospital, where she was taken by the DCW Chairperson Barkha Singh, Nagpal suffers from psychosis and needs to be hospitalised.

There was some confusion amongst the authorities on how to deal with Nagpal's case. DCW took her to VIMHANS, but was told that a case had to be registered before she could be admitted.

Singh spoke to the Metropolitan Magistrate at the Karkardooma Court, who directed that Nagpal be first taken to the Hauz Khas Police Station, where a case would be registered.

There was, however, some drama outside the hospital as Nagpal refused to leave the car and go inside for a check-up.

The VIMHANS doctors then came to the car and spoke with her for some time before concluding that she suffered from psychosis.

Nagpal, who got irritated with the intense media attention, snapped at the mediapersons who approached her and shouted at the photographers who clicked her pictures. PTI


In the '90s, Gitanjali Nagpal sashayed down the catwalks of Delhi with the likes of Sushmita Sen. A Navy officer's daughter who went to Lady Shri Ram College, she seemed set for a flashbulb career in fashion.

On Sunday, they found her living off the streets and spending her nights in parks and temples. And by Monday, she was being hounded by TV cameramen, reporters and do-gooders. Gitanjali's sad story had just taken yet another weird turn.

It's a horrifying story of the dark side of glamour: how one false move can send a promising career to a downward spiral of drugs and self-destruction. By her own admission, the ex-Mount Carmel student worked as a maid, spent her nights with men for money to quell her craving for drugs and alcohol and was in the end reduced to a life on the footpath.

Gitanjali's estranged husband lives in Germany with her child. And, touchingly, he still waits for her. When Metro Now , TOI's sister newspaper, first spotted her in South Delhi's Hauz Khas village and started taking her photographs, Gitanjali slid the T-shirt down her shoulders like a seasoned model and posed in style. She promised to model even better for a reward: a swim in a five-star hotel.

But after the story was published on Monday, Gitanjali was back among the flashbulbs. In an ironical twist, she was chased by TV reporters, shepherded by Delhi Commission for Women and taken in a Qualis first to a police station and then to Vimhans, a hospital that deals with mental health.

Gitanjali, still striking with her matted dreadlocks and wearing a black corsette and long skirt that seemed to have all the colours of rainbow, didn't get down from the car. Rather, she abused people who approached her. Three psychiatrists talked to her in the car. They later said she had poor hygiene, had rashes all over and was irritable.

Who is responsible for the present state of Gitanjali?

I read about this on CNN-IBN. The darker lives of models is what we see in Gitanjali's tale. Drugs and drinks are part of ramp culture. The smart stay in the circuit, but do'nt fall trap to it's evil. The unfortunates follow the line of Gitanjali. I hope she gets into rehab and gets to live a normal life.

really a sad story.but i feel ,these stories of ex page 3 celebraties atleast spread social awarness by getting media attention .like the jessica murder case &ash physical abuse by salman.

It is a sad story. time and again it is seen. few months back there was the son of a prominent person begging... looks like there is another side to the fame,power and money...

Hi Ilites,
Indeed it was a shocking incident to hear.From Riches to Rags& from Ramps to Roads was very dishearting to see. But one needs to realise that all the misery has been caused by the individual alone. You decide as to how you have to live. There are many models who dont even smoke or drink. What i feel is its up to you to decide your life inspite of the lures and lustures you have on the way of you career.

About the Media Hype:
Media is to bring in every bit of news happening all around the world - agreed!!! But honestly tell me is it necessary for a special coverage for this to be telecasted?? There are more pressing problems our country is facing. No media attention is given to it. Gitanjali was very annoyed when media people clicked fotos of her scantily dressed, dirty costumes at the first place. All the more she was in a very bad mental shape.DCW has taken her into custody and the matter ends there.
Inspite of all this it is necessary to dig n do a postmortem of the issue??
What do you say?

I was seeing the entire incident in CNN-IBN yesterday. I felt sorry not for her alone but for all those who have fallen into the evil hands of drugs. She is still a beauty and she has become mentally sick also. Her only want was to walk on the ramp and become famous again. She is not ready to accept her family and the vice versa also.

As the psychriartist and a model co-ordinator on the show said, she has not chosen the wrong position but she has chosen the wrong company. If she can come out of that company she can shine again. All around her should help her to come out of that. Will they do it? That is the million dollor question!!!!!

I also sawthis report on TV, it is very disheartening to see smart youg women make a wrong move and be reduced fro riches to rags. I hope she agrees to be treated and gets better and will reunite with her husband and family.

Well, I think that she has really hit rock bottom and she can only go up! Let us hope that she uses all the help that she is getting. Even if her parents don't want her, her husband still loves her, perhaps that will make a difference!

hi
Yes a true story of what drugs can do to a person & story of ramp to roads. Sad & dishertening. Few months back there was a story by a model come aspiring girl for miss INdia contest on TV news & she also wrote a book telling all abt the drug racket around models & girls aspiring for Miss India & like contests. She ultimately left this contest.
But what surprizes me is the neglect by her relations & parents even if she was a druggist or psychotic how could they left their daughter on roads. It looks like This is the ultimate price one has to pay if one leaves the relations in search of her own happyness in a false world of drugs & all.
But one another aspect is also there ,we see saw many baggers & Even people with mental unstability & psychosis on roads & do any body do some thing for them ,even in her bagger's life it is the story of glamour which caught everybody's attention & probably by media attention & care of women's group she can be helped abt but what abt the others who were not ex models with no name tag on them .

If her husband really loves her then what is he waiting for?Why hes not helping her?

Cheers
RAmya

Originally Posted by sugarnspice

Well, I think that she has really hit rock bottom and she can only go up! Let us hope that she uses all the help that she is getting. Even if her parents don't want her, her husband still loves her, perhaps that will make a difference!