Farmers in the district have decided to extend assistance to the students of Government Medical College here by supplying required quantity of rice to them, free of cost, throughout the academic year. The gesture is expected to go a long way in setting an example for others to contribute to society in one way or another.
The initiative, taken up by the farmers, was prompted by the efforts of former Medical Education and Irrigation Minister P. Sudharshan Reddy to build a good relationship between rural masses and future doctors. “It’s a small effort to make the future doctors responsible towards the society at a time when private healthcare is unaffordable for the poor,” said Mr. Reddy.
At the 500-member student management hostel, with a considerable number of girls, attached to the GMC, less than 50% of students get scholarship and fee reimbursement. Given this, paying a mess bill of around ₹2,500 a month is burdensome, with other expenses.
“The assistance by the farmers in supplying rice will certainly help the poor students as it would bring down their mess bill. If other philanthropists follow suit, the students will be relieved of a great burden,” opined B. Vijay, a final year student.
During the harvest, the farmers would keep aside paddy and send the same to specified rice mills. It would be converted into a fine variety rice and supplied to the hostel once in 15 days. “Three rice mills have been identified for milling, storing and supplying the rice to the medical college hostel,” Mr. Sudharshan Reddy told The Hindu .
Suri Babu, a farmer from Bodhan, has announced 20 bags of rice as donation while about 20 farmers in Yedapally mandal have offered 100 bags. Muppa Ganga Reddy, a farmer in Mopal mandal, said he would donate five quintals of rice as his share. Given the response, the donation is likely to cross 500 quintals.
L. Ramulu, Superintendent, Government General Hospital, said the students as well as the faculty appreciated the gesture as it was an innovative idea to reduce the financial burden of the medical students. Besides, it would help build a lasting connect between the patients coming from the rural areas and the future doctors.
