Bengal government's apathy saddens ailing gymnast Soumita's family

Former gymnast Soumita Dey is battling for her life

Kolkata, January 24 (IANS) The family of critically ill former gymnast and judge in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Soumita Dey, Saturday rued the inaction of the West Bengal government in extending support, financially or otherwise, to the athlete who was battling for her life at a city nursing home.

She has been suffering from Neurosarcoidosis since 2012 and is unable to move her legs, with the lower half of her body being paralysed. Speaking on his daughter's ill health, Simanta Dey rued not getting any help from the state government.

"We belong to a middle-class family and her treatment expenses are huge. We tried garnering help from the state government, but nothing came our way. We got in touch with the local leaders of the ruling party who promised financial help too, but it has still not arrived," Dey told IANS over phone.

Dey voiced his grievances against the Mamata Banerjee-led government after receiving the news that Tamil Nadu's ruling party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Saturday announced Rs.5 lakh as aid for his daughter.

"I have heard the news, but we have not received the cheque yet," Dey said. Jayalalithaa said she was moved on reading about Dey's medical problem and poor economic condition adding the sum would be given to her from the M. G. Ramachandran Trust.

Dey, however, praised the West Bengal Gymnastics Association for standing by Soumita in her hour of need.

"They helped us with blood donation cards, contacted the right people so that she could have the best treatment. They helped us a lot." Asked how his daughter was doing now, he said: "Treatment is on, she is doing a little better now."