August 8, 2010

         A meritorious student, an aspiring engineer and a child determined to chase her dreams; Seema Sood had got what it takes to achieve one's goal. But a severe attack of rheumatic arthritis changed the course for this engineering student of BITS Pilani (Rajasthan). The Gold medallist who would have been earning big bucks in some MNC was now a liability on her aged mother. The severe attack left her 60%-70% crippled and confined to a room for about 13 years. Seema who hails from Bundla, Palampur was unable to move her body and was now dependent on others for even a glass of water. Thus began the incessant rounds at the hospitals for treatment but the family was unable to meet the expenditure of the treatment. For Seema, hope of life turned bleak with every passing minute.
           As a last resort, Seema made an appeal to the Chief Minister, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal for help. The Chief Minister lost no time in sanctioning not only the amount for her treatment but directed the officials to see that any extra amount needed for her treatment be met out of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The Chief Minister sanctioned an amount of Rs one lakh out of relief fund for her surgery at PGI, Chandigarh and an amount of Rs 8, 25,000 for bilateral total knee and hip replacement at Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

The Chief Minister, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal has always taken care of such patients who have no one to support their survival. For doing selfless service to the suffering humanity, he has aptly earned the sobriquet of Good Samaritan, the State over.

 Recently Chief Minister sanctioned Rs. 1.75 lakh to 55 years old Smt. Urmila Devi to enable her under go heart surgery in IGMC, Shimla. Hailing from Dhalli area of Shimla district, Smt. Urmila Devi had been hospitalized for the last two months in IGMC but was unable to take treatment for want of money as she was leading a life of extreme penury and help from no quarters made it impossible for her to go for heart surgery. Having not lost the hope, she finally made an appeal to the Chief Minister to bail her out of this helpless situation. Chief Minister gave her a new life by providing her necessary help for treatment.

Prof. Dhumal has set a precedent of sorts by providing relief to the poor and needy on number of occasions. Immediately after assuming office on 30th December, 2007, he has sanctioned Rs 11, 93, 34,511 out of Chief Minister Relief Fund to 7025 needy persons.

Amit Walia, a student of class 12 from Dharamshala who would have been happily playing out with his friends was confined to bed at the tender age of 17. He was suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Blood Cancer) and the expenses for his treatment at CMC, Ludhiana stood at Rs 15-20 lakh. His father being a small time shopkeeper was unable to meet the expenses. Needless to say, the boy got a ray of hope from the Chief Minister who sanctioned an amount of Rs 2 lakh out of relief fund for Amit's treatment.

Taking cognizance of a news report appearing in a section of the press about a 16 year old boy, Pritam Chand suffering from renal failure, the Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 1 lakh to enable him to undergo surgery at PGI, Chandigarh. Pritam Chand son of Majanu Ram of Marhot village in Barsar Tehsil of Hamirpur had lost hope but as soon as his plight reached the Chief Minister, he was provided relief in no time.

From time to time, Chief Minister makes fervent appeal to the people from different walks of life for liberal donation towards Chief Minister Relief Fund so that succour could be provided to the suffering humanity. Chief Minister Relief Fund had been set up to help such poor and needy people. It is proving instrumental in giving life to a number of persons who otherwise had lost all hopes of life.