The harrowing aftermath of the toxic Coldrif cough syrup tragedy in Madhya Pradesh has left a five-year-old boy alive but blind, and his family shattered and destitute. Tikku Yaduvanshi, a 36-year-old father from Parasia town in Chhindwara district, watched his son Kunal battle for life for 116 days, only to return home with severe, possibly permanent disabilities.
A Survival Marred by Irreversible Loss
"My son survived, but he returned to me without sight," said Tikku, his voice trembling with emotion. Kunal is among the few children who lived through the poisoning incident that claimed the lives of 26 children across Chhindwara and Betul districts. After more than four months of hospitalization in multiple cities, Kunal was finally discharged from AIIMS Nagpur on Monday night. However, survival came at a devastating cost.
"He cannot see, he cannot walk properly, and I cannot leave him even for a moment. How do I go back to work now?" Tikku asked, highlighting the continuous care his son requires. Doctors have not been able to confirm if Kunal's vision will ever return, casting a shadow of uncertainty over his recovery.
Financial Ruin and a Father's Sacrifice
The fight for Kunal's life has pushed the Yaduvanshi family into a deep financial abyss. Tikku, a former employee of a private finance company, has not received a salary for the past four months. To fund the treatment and sustain his family during their prolonged stay in Nagpur, he has taken extreme measures.
He defaulted on housing loan EMIs, sold his cattle, and mortgaged his wife's jewellery. "We were four people staying there — my wife, two other family members and I — paying for food, rooms, everything, while our child was fighting for life," Tikku recounted, describing the immense burden.
While the Madhya Pradesh government has promised financial assistance for medical expenses, Tikku says it is grossly inadequate. "Whatever money we receive will go into repaying the loans we took for his treatment. It does not cover our stay, food, or the debts we piled up just to keep him alive," he explained.
The Timeline of a Tragedy and Demands for Accountability
Kunal's ordeal began on August 24 when Tikku first took him to paediatrician Dr. Praveen Soni in Parasia. As complications arose, he returned two days later. By September 1, Kunal's condition necessitated a rush to Nagpur, where he was admitted to a private hospital. His deteriorating health led to a transfer to AIIMS Nagpur on September 11, where he remained for over three months of intensive treatment.
The tragedy has triggered arrests, suspensions, and an SIT probe. The accused include paediatrician Dr. Praveen Soni, his wife Jyoti Soni, and the manufacturers of the syrup — Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals. Laboratory tests revealed the Coldrif syrup contained a shocking 48.6% diethylene glycol, a toxic industrial solvent known to cause kidney failure. The state government has suspended several drug inspectors and senior FDA officials, admitting to regulatory failure.
Yet, for families like the Yaduvanshis, accountability offers little solace. Tikku's plea is now directed towards the future. "I want the govt to tell me — will it bear the cost of his future treatment?" he demanded. "I have heard there are better facilities for eyesight treatment in Chennai. My child did nothing wrong. At least give him a chance."
As the investigations continue, Tikku's hope remains fragile. "My son survived death. Now we are just praying he can see the world one day — and that we are not left alone to fight this battle," he said, encapsulating the ongoing struggle that extends far beyond the hospital walls.
