The Hindu : Gangubai Hangal thanks Govt. for assistance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Gangubai Hangal thanks Govt. for assistance

By Our Special Correspondent

HUBLI July 10. An air of cordiality and informality prevailed at the house of Gangubai Hangal, Hindustani vocalist, who is convalescing at her residence, here on Wednesday.

The occasion was the handing over of a part of the assistance promised to her by the Government, by Y.K.Muddukrishna, Director of Kannada and Culture.

"I am aged. Somebody has to support me," Dr. Hangal said as she settled down in the chair.

Dr. Hangal went down memory lane after receiving the cheque and a bouquet from Mr. Muddukrishna and recalled what the Jnanpith award winner, D.R. Bendre had said about her.

Dr. Hangal said that the well-known poet after looking at her date of birth predicted that she would achieve the pinnacle of success in her music career.

She then spoke about her illness.

Dr. Hangal said that she had never fallen ill during the past 90 years, but had recently started feeling giddy while standing and walking. She did not imagine that this would incur so much medical cost.

While expressing her gratitude to the Government, Dr. Hangal said that neither she nor any members of the family had sought assistance from the Government.

Mr. Muddukrishna said that Dr. Hangal was an asset of not only Karnataka but also the entire world.

Some members of her family were annoyed over the publicity given for the occasion.

"We did not ask the Government for assistance. Where was the need for this kind of publicity when the Government itself volunteered to help?" they asked.

The offer of assistance came from the Deputy Commissioner when Dr. Hangal was in a hospital in Hubli.

When the bill for a little over Rs. 8 lakh was presented, the Department of Kannada and Culture gave only Rs. 2 lakh. The minister concerned, Rani Satish, pleaded helplessness in providing further assistance in view of the limited funds available with the department.

It was Basavaraj Horatti, leader of the Janata Dal (U) in the Legislative Council, who first spoke of the treatment meted out to Dr. Hangal, and how the Government had gone back on its word.

Several representations were also made by other people to the Government.

Mr. Horatti took up the matter with the Chief Minister, S.M.Krishna, when the Government reiterated its promise of footing her medical expenses.

It was as part of the process of redeeming the promise that Mr. Muddukrishna came to Hubli.

However, it is learnt that Mr. Muddukrishna brought a cheque for only Rs. 4.99 lakh. To a question on this, Mr. Muddukrishna merely said that the bill was being processed by the Department of Health.

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