Bargarh: Playing the role of a true teacher, a young man has helped his student not only fight the cancer but also clear the Matriculation examination in Odisha’s Bargarh.
Soubhagya Patel, belonging to Sankri village under Jharbandh block of the district, was diagnosed with cacner in her knee last year. Though a brilliant student of Panchayat High School at Amthi, she faced an uncertain future as her family could not afford costly treatment for the cancer.
At the time, young teacher of the school Dibas Kumar Sahu came forward to help Soubhgya in all possible ways. Through his initiatives, Dibas arranged the young girl’s treatment at a private hospital at Raipur in Chhattisgarh. He also mobilised funds through different sources for the stay of Soubhagya and her family in Raipur for 8 months during the treatment.
Soubhagya underwent surgery in the hospital free of cost with the expenditure of Rs 4 lakh being provided by Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana of the state government. The Indian Cancer Society (ICS) also provided Rs 4 lakh for artificial limbs for Soubhagya. Besides, Dibas had mobilised Rs 40,000 by highlighting Soubhagya’s case in social media.
Even as Soubhagya was undergoing treatment, she appeared at the Matriculation examination under the able guidance of Dibas. After going through all the difficulties and struggle for survival, she passed the examination with high marks.
While Soubhagya’s fight against cancer and success in Matriculation has earned her accolades from all quarters, the contributions of young teachers Dibas have endeared him to the society. True to his humility, Dibas expressed her gratitude to the government, ICS and all well-wishers for their support and encouragement.
A visibly Soubhagya said she would remain indebted to ‘Dibas Sir’ for all the encouragement, guidance, support and above all, giving her a new lease of life.
