Sambalpur: In yet another instance of abject poverty in this tribal-dominated district, an elderly man was seen fighting against death as he kept starving for four days. He was identified as Ganesh Bahadur (46).
Ganesh, an original resident of Nepal, had arrived in Sambalpur in search of work years ago. Since then, he has been dwelling in the town and doing petty jobs for a living. He used to work as a daily labourer and sometimes did small jobs when he was physically fit. However, his health conditions began to deteriorate due to work overload. Adding to his agony, Ganesh has no one to feed or take care of himself. Failing to get work, Ganesh who lived a hand to mouth life, was left to starve. With no money to buy rice and grocery, he had been living miserably for four days.
Locals spotted him lying in open air near Durga Mandir Chhak at Hirakud town. They helped him for a few days, but soon left. None cared to extend a helping hand to Ganesh. Meanwhile, the local administration failed to pay heed to Ganesh’s plight. His health condition worsened due to hunger.
Expressing concern on Ganesh, local youths rescued him after four days and admitted him to the medicine ward of Burla-based VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR). However, he was deprived of treatment due to lack of financial assistance.
Later, medical authorities instead of shifting Ganesh for further treatment discharged him from the hospital. Some medical staff took Ganesh and dumped him in open air near Durga Mandir Chhak. He was reportedly affected by paralysis which forced him to bed. It’s been four days since Ganesh lay unnoticed in open air, sources said.
Locals failed to contact Ganesh’s family members as he hailed from Nepal and had no identity proof. Meanwhile, Ganesh failed to speak a word owing to his deteriorating health condition. PNN
