A letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, written by a Class VI student, has evoked positive response from the Prime Minister’s Office and Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd.
Dhrithi Kulal, a student of Sharada Model English Medium School near Kinnigoli, with the help of other, wrote to the Prime Minister, highlighting the problems at Haleyangadi Railway gate. She wrote to the Prime Minister a month ago, requesting him construction of an overbridge near Haleyangadi railway gate, as the movement of vehicles turns chaotic in the place often.
Background
Dhrithi often travels in bus with her father, from Kinnigoli to Surathkal. On most days, the vehicles are held up due to delay in the movement of trains. Dhrithi also saw a pregnant woman, whose condition was worrying, being rushed to a hospital in an ambulance. As the train was delayed, the railway gate remained closed for a long time.
Dhrithi, who wanted to do something about this, discussed with her father and decided that she would directly write to the prime minister.
A handwritten letter, running to three pages and conveying the problem at Indira Nagar Railway Gate, along with her signature, was posted to the prime minister.
On receiving the letter, the PMO contacted Dhrithi’s father Ramesh Kulal over phone to gather information and then directed Railways to look into the issue. The officials of the Konkan Railway too contacted Dhrithi’s father and posted an official correspondence.
The letter, dated April 20, 2017, addressed to Dhrithi, Kinnigoli, said that the suggestion of constructing overbridges could be materialised, provided the state government acquired land and handed it over to Konkan Railways. The project would be implemented in a 50:50 partnership of the Central and the state government. As per an estimate made in 2014, the construction of a road overbridge between Mulki and Surathkal would cost Rs 4.56 crore.
Dhrithi, speaking to media, has said that she would next write to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, requesting him to take steps to hand over the land to the Railways.
A multi-talented student
Dhrithi is the elder daughter of Ramesh Kulal and Kusuma, who are tailors. They are the residents of Padmanoor in Kinnogoli. Dhrithi is interested in yoga, music, karate, swimming and dance. She has bagged the gold medal in national-level Under-10 girls’ karate event, 11 gold medals and 4 silver medals in three years. She will take part in the international karate competition in Madhya Pradesh and a karate event in Malaysia, her trainer Nagaraj Kulal said.
