Cuttack: She is an orphan and just 14 years old. But she stares at uncertain future with remorse as her kidney ailment is slowly but surely crippling her and she cannot afford the costly treatment.
Not long back, Dibyasa Sahoo was a bubbly and cheerful girl enjoying life with her parents at Kaligali near Chandi Chowk in Cuttack. Her father Dushmanta Kumar Sahoo was an auto-rickshaw driver. Her mother Basanti, a housewife, managed to look after the family with the meagre income of Dushmanta.
The tragedy struck the happy family 9 years back when Dushmanta was diagnosed with kidney problem. Despite spending his entire saving and mobilising all possible resources for his treatment, Dushmanta did not survive.
After Dushmanata’s demise, Basanti managed to take care of Dibyasa by doing odd jobs. Dibyasa was unhappy and missed her father but did not complain about anything as she knew that her mother was struggling to survive. Suddenly she had become a quiet and understanding girl beyond her age.
But the destiny had more suffering in store for the family. Basanti was also diagnosed with kidney ailment a few years after Dushmanta’s death. Already finding it difficult to arrange two meals for them, Basanti could hardly afford treatment and started neglecting herself.
Four days back, Basanti died. A shocked Dibyasa performed the last rites of her mother.
Now Dibyasa, who is staying with her uncle, is diagnosed with kidney ailment. But her uncle can hardly afford her treatment for his not so sound financial condition.
Dibyasa has been admitted in Sishu Bhavan so that she can avail free treatment, said social worker Bibhuti Ray of Sabitri Janaseva Kendra who helped her at the time of Basanti’s death.
But the free treatment at Sishu Bhavan will not be enough, Bibhuti said adding that she needs financial help to undergo costly tests and further treatment.
“I want to be cured. I want to see a new life. Please hep me,” said Class-IX student Dibyasa in a desperate appeal.
