Himachal CM releases Rs 75,000 for Surti

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has sanctioned Rs 75,000 for Surti’s open heart surgery from the CM’s Relief Fund, Ajai Srivastava, Chairman, Society for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, HP Chapter, informed.

Surti, a five year old daughter of Om Prakash, a Rajasthani labourer living in Charan Khadd slums in Dharamshala, was detected with a hole in her heart recently. Doctors at the PGI Hospital in Chandigarh had asked Om Prakash to raise a sum of Rs 75,000 for Surti’s open heart surgery at the earliest. Coming from a poor family of eight (he and his wife, four daughters and two sons), Prakash could not afford the hefty sum. He has been living in Dharamshala since 1985.

Surti’s cause was taken up by Srivastava alongwith Jamyang, director of Tong- Len Chariatiable Trust, Dharmshala. Her cause was also taken up by prominent dailies and HimVani as well. HimVani had run a campaign on its website, appealing its members and readers to come forward and donate generously for Surti’s operation.

Except for a few good Samaritans, not much help had come forth and enough money could not be raised. Seeing time running out, Srivastava took up the initiative to approach the CM on February 1.

“I met the CM and requested him to sanction Rs 75,000 for Surti’s open heart surgery. He responded immediately and sanctioned the same amount from the CM Relief Fund. The release order in favour of Directer, PGI, Chandigarh was delivered to me today (February 3),” Srivastava said, adding, “Now the monk, Jamyang, who has been doing social work in the shanties of Charan Khadd will be able to to take Surti to PGI for her surgery.”

Srivastava thanked HimVani for its support and urged its members and other readers and donators to retain the promised money for any such future generosities” as the current need had been fulfilled by the CM’s sanction itself.