Differently abled braves odds to meet U T Khader

After two futile attempts to meet Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader in Bangalore, Shivaramu (16), a physically challenged boy travelled all the way from his home town Doddayarayapet in Chamaraj Nagar district, to the home town of the Health Minister, braving all odds.

Shivaramu arrived at Mangalore on Saturday with a request to make. A victim of circumstances, Shivaramu lost his right leg due to gangrene seven years ago. A wound at his backbone which affected his leg, led to the surgery which ended up him losing a leg. Now, that his left leg too is affected by the same disease, he is left with no other option but to undergo a surgery. 

But, for Shivaramu who lost his father three years ago and his mother abandoned him when he was merely 11 months, undergoing surgery is a distant dream. He is looked after by his aged grand mother, who works as a daily wage labourer in his home town.

 Shivaramu who arrived at Circuit House accompanied by his relative Prasanna, with a hope to meet the Minister, told reporters that the government had granted financial aid of Rs 25,000 when he underwent the first surgery at M S Ramaiah Hospital in Bangalore, seven years ago. “Having lost my parents, I am not in a position to avail medical treatment now. I have come here with a hope that the Minister will help me,” he said.

Shivaramu did get a chance to meet Khader on Saturday and the Minister assured him of providing him with free treatment at Sanjay Gandhi Orthopedic Hospital in Bangalore. The Minister has asked him to go to the hospital on January 6 for availing treatment.