NewsKarnataka – Mangalore

By – Sandhya S

Mangalore: A 16-year-old physically challenged boy, Shivaraja with a hope to make a difference in his life travelled all the way from his home town Doddayarayapet in Chamaraj Nagar district to meet the Health Minister, along with his friend, Prasanna. Shivaraja arrived at Mangalore on Saturday January 4.

The distressing part of Shivarajas life is that seven years ago an injury caused a clot on his backbone, due to which it affected his right leg, and he was diagnosed with gangrene. A surgery had made to amputate his leg. Now his other leg also has been affected as he is left with no other option but to undergo a surgery.

Shivaraja lost his father three years ago and his mother abandoned him when he was only 11-month-old, he is being taken care by his grandmother and his younger brother. They are in a poor condition and his grandmother is an only earning member in the family, she works as a daily wage laborer.

Acknowledging that meeting the Health Minister would make his distance dream come true; Shivaraja arrived at Circuit House accompanied by his friend Prasanna. Accordingly the government had granted financial aid of Rs 25,000 when he underwent the first surgery at M S Ramaiah Hospital in Bangalore.

Even after a busy schedule, during intervals the Health Minister UT Khader generously went and met the Shivaraja, he gave him his personal contact details along with an assurance to provide free treatment at Sanjay Gandhi Orthopedic Hospital in Bangalore.

UT Khader also suggested him to stay in the facilities he provides and travel with him on January 6, but as Shivaraja had not informed his grandmother and was still a minor by age, it was advisable for him to get an elderly person during the surgery.

The Minister has asked him to go to Sanjay Gandhi Orthopedic Hospital in Bangalore on January 6 for availing treatment, while he will make all the other arrangements for the child.