MANDI: In a heartwarming Diwali gesture, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla brought immense joy into the lives of two siblings with severe disabilities by gifting them automatic wheelchairs.
For Anita (18) and her brother Sunil (21) from the remote village of Panjni in Solan district, the Governor’s act has fulfilled a dream that their family had long cherished but could never realise.
The two siblings have been living with cerebral palsy since birth, which has left them 100% disabled, unable to walk or communicate clearly. Their father, Baburam, is a daily wage worker from a Scheduled Caste and BPL family, working tirelessly in Kunihar to support the family. However, due to limited resources, even a basic wheelchair was beyond their reach, making the Governor’s gift especially significant.
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Ajay Srivastava, president of the Umang Foundation, brought the siblings’ situation to the Governor’s attention, appealing for battery-powered wheelchairs that would enable them to move independently. Moved by their plight, Governor Shukla promptly directed the Himachal Pradesh State Red Cross Society to provide two wheelchairs.
“Anita and Sunil have faced immense challenges, confined to one spot since childhood,” said Srivastava. “The Governor’s swift action has transformed their lives, giving them a new sense of freedom.”
Bina Devi, the mother of Anita and Sunil, expressed her deep gratitude, noting that her children’s newfound ability to move around their home’s flat areas has brought them immense joy. “We had never dreamed they would receive such a significant gift, especially on Diwali,” she shared emotionally.
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The siblings’ joy was evident as they were seated in their wheelchairs for the first time.
The family, despite their BPL status, has faced hardships due to not having an IRDP card, which has required them to purchase higher-priced rations. They also have a younger son who recently completed 12th grade and is searching for a job to support the family.
This isn’t the first time Governor Shukla has taken steps to improve the lives of the disabled. According to Sanjeev Sharma, Assistant Secretary of the State Red Cross, the Governor has donated approximately 20 automatic wheelchairs to individuals with severe disabilities from BPL families across the state.
To deliver the wheelchairs to the family’s home, a team of dedicated individuals joined hands. Virendra Bisht from the Red Cross, along with Umang Foundation’s Prof. Srivastava, Vinod Yogacharya, Rajesh Kashyap, and local social worker Sohanlal Parihar, personally delivered the wheelchairs, ensuring a memorable and joyous occasion for Anita and Sunil.
This inspiring gesture from Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla highlights the impact of compassionate leadership and brings much-needed support to marginalised families striving for dignity and opportunity.
