Profiling the child of the Heart to Heart film
RCI shows the way of philantrophy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 22 2011: Having survived a serious threat to life in the early stage and today transformed to a healthy kid, thanks to the noble 'Heart to Heart' project of Rotary Club of Imphal, eight years old Mayanglambam Rishikanta expressed hope that the project grows to cover more children like him.

In an exclusive chat with The Sangai Express, Rishikanta, who is from Kakching Khullen Sumak Leikai Keithel Macha in Thoubal district said, unaware that he was suffering from congenital heart disease he used to join his peers in various activities only to feel exhausted and lose consciousness on numerous occasions.

Recounting that he felt depressed whenever he could not attend school or play with his friends, Rishikanta conveyed humble gratitude to RCI for his recovery from the disease and described his happiest moment came when he was able to regain energy and reconnect relationship with his friends.

Rishikanta also stated in an upbeat mood that he would study hard to become a doctor in the future and treat children suffering from heart diseases.

Rishikanta (R) poses for the lens with a friend

Joining her son in the interaction, M Binaroy recounted that she came to know of Rishikanta's health status when they went to consult Dr Ibomcha of Langthabal when the boy was six months old.

At the advice of Dr Ibomcha, heart specialist Dr Sachin was further consulted but the latter suggested that heart surgery at such a young age was not advisable, the mother narrated and informed that vulnerability of her son to various other ailments and weakness resulted in the parents having to endure many sleepless nights.

On further consultation with doctors some years later, the total cost of surgery, including travel expenditure, was put at Rs 2 lakh, she informed and confided that decision was taken along with the boy's father M Pakpa to sell off their homestead land to meet the treatment expenses.

Inspite of determination to save their only child the couple could not collect the requisite amount as the homestead land due to its location in the rural area could not command even half the amount, she maintained.

As their miseries multiplied and sense of hopelessness crept in information was received of the RCI's Heart to Heart project, said Binaroy while conveying heartfelt gratitude to the Rotarians for approval of her son's surgery.

Informing that Rishikanta underwent heart surgery at Mission Hospital, Durgapur on December 9 2009, she expressed elation that her son is today able to play with his friends as a normal child.

Rishikanta's father M Pakpa, who also spoke to this daily expressed strong resentment that inspite of the State Govt declaring that BPL card holders would be provided Rs 1 lakh under the National Rural Health Mission for treatment of ailing member(s) of the family such a benefit is yet to be provided.

Pakpa, who had worked as a compositor for Assam Tribune newspaper, also desired that various schemes announced by the Govt of India with regard to bearing certain percentage of treatment cost, be effectively implemented here in the State.

noting that about 200 children, belonging to BPL families, and suffering from heart diseases have been extended treatment/surgery facilities by the Govt of Assam, he questioned as to why such a noble programme is not being adopted by the Govt of Manipur.