Daltonganj: A six-year-old girl's heartfelt appeal for support, which went viral after being shared by a local social media influencer, prompted Palamu Deputy Commissioner Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat to visit her family and extend immediate assistance on Saturday.
Girl's Video Prompts Official Action
Lalita Kumari, from Osaney village in Palamu district's Chainpur block, had urged the DC through the video to support her disabled parents and alleviate their poverty. The post was watched by district administration officials, prompting swift action. District public relations officer Asim Kumar said, "The DC saw the clip and was moved to visit the girl."
During the visit, it emerged that Lalita's parents, Chintu Kumar Chowdhury and Priti Kumari, neither had a house nor a stable income. The family lacked basic facilities, including mobility support for the parents, while the children did not have birth certificates or Aadhaar cards.
Immediate Assistance Provided
"The first priority was to ensure their mobility," an official said, with the DC immediately arranging a tricycle for the parents. The family was also sanctioned a house under the Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Awas Yojana, which provides financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh in instalments for construction. Birth certificates for Lalita's siblings, Aashik Kumar, 3, and Aarti Kumari, 4, were issued on the spot, enabling their Aadhaar enrolment. "I personally registered their names at the local anganwadi centre," Shekhawat said.
The administration also provided educational materials and food items to the family. Officials said efforts are underway to secure a sustainable livelihood for the parents, who currently depend on seasonal work at a brick kiln.
Sustainable Livelihood Plans
"Block officials have been asked to identify suitable livelihood options for the family," the DC added. The visit underscores the administration's responsiveness to social media appeals and its commitment to supporting vulnerable families.
