Charan R., a class VII student who was seriously injured when the wall of a concrete water tank collapsed on him at Morarji Desai Residential School at K. Gollahalli in Bidadi hobli of Ramanagara district on September 21, continues to remain in hospital and his recovery is a long way off.
He is being treated at a private hospital at Ramanagara. The boy’s parents are seeking help for their son’s expensive treatment. They expressed displeasure over officials of the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KRIES) and Backward Classes Welfare Department not providing financial aid for the treatment.
Parents unhappy
The collapsed wall of a concrete water tank at Morarji Desai Residential School at K. Gollahalli, Bidadi hobli, Ramanagara district, on September 21, which led to the death of a student while leaving another injured. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“After the incident, officials of the KRIES and Backward Classes Welfare Department, who had promised to take care of the student, including covering the entire medical expenses, have not come to the hospital,” said Ravindra S.A., the boy’s father who is a carpenter. The parents wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Ramanagara on September 30 and explained the situation.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Ravindra said, “The incident happened on September 21 and one boy died while my son sustained serious injuries. After the incident, school authorities took my son to a local hospital and washed their hands off.” He said the family had already spent more than ₹1 lakh for Charan’s treatment.
“The doctor said it would take nearly six months for him to recover. He has given an estimated bill of ₹2.5 lakh for his further treatment. As a carpenter, I cannot bear such expenses on my own,” he said. “The department should bear the treatment cost as the incident happened due to the negligence of the school,” he said.
Medical condition
Venkata Ramkumar, orthopaedic specialist at Ramakrishna Hospital, Ramanagara, who is treating the student, said while there is no threat to Charan’s life, the pelvis near the bladder (where the bones come together from both sides of the trunk) has been injured, leading to difficulty in urination and curtailment of even mobility. He won’t be able to stand up and walk for two months. “It may take six months for the boy’s complete recovery and he can’t go to school till then as well,” said the doctor.
On being contacted by The Hindu, Naveen Kumar Raju S., executive director of the KRIES, said they would bear the complete medical expenses of the student’s treatment. “I will send our officers to the hospital and get the medical expenses details. Then, we will release the fund immediately. The principal of the school has been suspended and further inquiry is also going on. Legal action will be initiated against the culprits,” he said.
