Army aspirant’s father writes to PM Modi for financial aid

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Ludhiana, July 16

Struggling to pay medical bills of the ongoing treatment of 23-year-old Jammu youth Tushar Thakur, who suffered serious injuries after being thrown out of the moving train recently by three persons, victim’s father Virandar Thakur has written a letter to PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Besides the PM, the victim’s father has also sent letter to CM Bhagwant Mann and the Jammu and Kashmir Governor.

A copy of the letter which is with The Tribune reads: “I would request intervention of the PMO and state that on May 19, my son Tushar Thakur met with a life-threatening mishap just before the train reached the city railway station. After clearing the SSB exam, my son was on the way to Ahmedabad from Jammu to appear in an interview. He is now undergoing treatment at the DMCH. My son has suffered multiple fractures in ribs, hip, legs, backbone and jaws and doctors have said his lower body, below the rib cage, has paralysed permanently due to severe spinal cord injury while the upper part would be cured. Since the incident, we repeatedly approached the GRP, Ludhiana, which stated that they had made a diary entry and probing the case. GRP personnel also visited the hospital but the FIR was registered only after 36 days after the incident in June when my son himself painstakingly sent an email to the GRP police station and their headquarters at Patiala, narrating the incident from the hospital bed.”

It further reads: “Thorough probe by the GRP for action against the three culprits is yet to be seen and may need close monitoring by GRP/state government and railway officials. In the incident, my son’s bag having certificates and personal items, including his AC train ticket, are also lost/left in the train. To trace these, serious efforts and clear visibility on the part of the RPF/GRP are needed. So far, we have incurred a big financial burden on his treatment and a big amount of money is required for further treatment. Urgent financial support from the railways/government would help us. Second medical opinion by the government/ railways- appointed panel of doctors and sharing the line of treatment of our son at the DMCH would be a great mental and psychological support.”

Taking to The Tribune here on Tuesday, Tushar’s father said he had already incurred medical expenses of over Rs 10 lakh for the treatment of his son. With the help of DC Sakshi Sawhney, the Jammu DC had managed to sent Rs 1.60 lakh for Tushar’s rehabilitation. “I hope the PM, Punjab CM or J&K Governor will respond to my emails and help us so that my son’s dream to join the Army may come true one day. Either help us financially or shift my son for his spine surgery to the AIIMS, Delhi, or PGIMER, Chandigarh, as a special case, as the DMCH has refused to perform the surgery, citing life threat and lack of available expertise,” he added.