PUNE: Prompt help extended by the Prime Minister’s Office saved a seven-year-old girl’s life.
Vaishali, a class 2 student from Pune, had a hole in her heart. When her parents found it difficult to arrange money for the expensive surgery, they approached many public representatives and social organizations for help, but to no avail.
“When doctors told Vaishali’s father that she has to undergo a surgery costing Rs 3 lakh, we all lost hope,” said Pratap Yadav, her uncle.
Last month when Vaishali was watching PM Narendra Modi’s TV programme – Beti bachao, beti padhao — she became hopeful and wrote to the PM explaining her situation. When Vaishali wrote to the PM, her family thought it was yet another futile attempt. But the PMO replied promptly and ensured her the best possible treatment.
“When people from the administration came looking for us, we were very surprised. Today when our daughter is recovering fast,” Pratap Yadav said.
According to the district administration, after receiving Vaishali’s letter, the PMO wrote to them. A call from Shrikar Pardeshi, director in PMO, to Pune district collector Saurabh Rao expedited the matter. Based on the school identity card Vaishali had attached with her letter, the administration traced the family. “Then the administration approached Ruby Hall Clinic for Vaishali’s open heart surgery,” Rao said.