Asna, the six-year-old girl, who lost her right leg in a bomb explosion while she was playing in front of her house in Kannur, has been a victim of political violence that marred the district. But twelve years down the line, when she joins MBBS at the Kozhikode Government Medical College, blessings are coming in from all quarters.
Her brother Anand and mother Shantha too were injured in the accident. Asna’s leg was shattered and had to be amputated. Since then, life was a living hell for this girl. Her father Nanu, a daily wage worker, could not afford the expensive treatment. However, good-hearted people came out to help her. They collected Rs.15 lakh for her treatment, and a political party took the initiative to build a house for the family.
Since she left the hospital, Asna was on a prosthetic leg. The leg had to be changed many times over the years as she grew up. The leg cost around Rs.80,000 every time. It takes her around a month to get acquainted with the new leg every time. She can’t walk for long and wearing the leg is often very painful. Still, Asna did well in her studies. She bagged 18th rank in the category for differently abled in the medical entrance examination, and was allotted a seat at the Kozhikode Government Medical College.
Asna is an inspiration to many people who have been let down by a tragedy.