Sports
Bengal government's apathy saddens ailing gymnast Soumita's family
The family of critically ill former gymnast and judge in the 2010
Commonwealth Games, Soumita Dey, Saturday rued the inaction of the West
Bengal government in extending support, financially or otherwise, to the
athlete who was battling for her life at a city nursing home.
She
has been suffering from Neurosarcoidosis since 2012 and is unable to
move her legs, with the lower half of her body being paralysed. Speaking
on his daughter’s ill health Simanta Dey rued not getting any help from
the state government.
“We belong to a middle class family and
her treatment expenses are huge. We tried garnering help from the state
government, but nothing came our way. We got in touch with the local
leaders from the ruling party who promised financial help too, but it
has still not arrived,†Dey told IANS over phone.
Dey voiced his
grievances against the Mamata Banerjee-led government after receiving
the news that Tamil Nadu's ruling party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Saturday announced
Rs.5 lakh as aid for his daughter.
“I have heard the news, but we have not received the cheque yet,†Dey said.
Jayalalithaa
said she was moved on reading about Dey's medical problem and poor
economic condition adding the sum would be given to her from the M. G.
Ramachandran Trust.
Dey, however, praised the West Bengal Gymnastics Association for standing by Soumita in her hour of need.
“They
helped us with blood donation cards, contacted the right people so that
she could have the best treatment. They helped us a lot.â€
Asked how his daughter was doing now, he said: “Treatment is on, she is doing a little better now.â€