Bengaluru Resident Redirects Anniversary Donation to Aid Amputee Student's Medical Battle
A heartwarming act of generosity unfolded in Bengaluru when a resident of Girinagar decided to redirect a significant donation intended for a religious center to support a young amputee student in need. Originally planning to donate Rs 25,000 to a mutt to commemorate his grandfather's death anniversary, the donor was moved by a Times of India report titled 'Beyond Politics: CMO, MLA team up to aid amputee student' in Tuesday's edition. This prompted him to instead contribute the same amount to the family of Kusumanjali, an amputee from Chinnanaganahalli near KGF in Kolar district, who is undergoing critical medical treatment in Bengaluru.
Inspiring Community Response to a Tragic Accident
The Times of India report detailed how Kusumanjali, a class 10 student, suffered a life-altering accident last year when she was hit by a tractor, leading to an amputation. Her medical expenses, compounded by ongoing treatment for a bone infection, have severely drained her family's financial resources. In response, Rajajinagar MLA S Suresh Kumar of the BJP and the chief minister's office collaborated on Monday to assist with the medical bills, highlighting the urgent need for support.
The donor explained his decision, stating, "Every year, I donate money in my grandfather's name to a mutt. Today, when I read about Kusumanjali and her family, I felt this was a much better cause to donate to. I collected the family's details and sent them Rs 25,000. We should encourage such students, as it is the collective failure of society that has left her in this state." He further mobilized his social group, 'Spandana', which has 120 members who each donate Rs 1,000 monthly to aid poor families. Many members contributed additional funds, with the group collectively planning to donate around Rs 50,000 for the girl's medical treatment by Wednesday.
Overwhelming Support and Future Plans
By Tuesday evening, good Samaritans across Bengaluru had donated a total of Rs 65,000 to Kusumanjali's family, providing a significant relief for her father, Shankar, who expressed deep gratitude. "At a time when we were staring at a crisis, we are grateful for the help coming our way. I will not spend this money on anything other than her treatment and will save any excess for her education," he said, emphasizing the family's commitment to her recovery and future.
MLA Suresh Kumar praised the spirit of Bengaluru, noting he was positively overwhelmed by the public response. "Many told me that they are helping the family financially, and we are expecting at least Rs 1 lakh more to reach the family by tomorrow," he added, indicating ongoing support. Meanwhile, Kusumanjali will be transferred from her current private hospital to the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, a government facility, where her treatment will continue free of cost, ensuring sustained medical care without financial burden.
This story underscores the power of community action and empathy in addressing critical needs, transforming a personal tradition into a lifeline for a struggling family.
