Imphal: She had lost all hope and was living a life of despair. Bed-ridden since 2011, R.K. Tamphasana felt abandoned by the world, with no money and no land to bank upon. But things changed overnight when her story was flashed on a local television channel, ISTV, and the state government stepped in with help.
Tamphasana, a divorcee, was preparing to die without leaving a penny for her son. She had been borrowing money for her son's education; over the years the loan amount has notched up to Rs.78,000. Add to that her physical condition - her legs need to be amputated but that required money which she didn't have.
However, her plight has now moved many hearts here and doctors have been called in to examine her. There's hope and it may not be all that bleak, after all.
“After the preliminary examination, we will start treating her. Our primary plan is to restore her health so that she can lead a normal life,” a senior doctor told IANS.
Tamphasana's story has a political angle to it as well. With the television channel saying that she didn't receive any assistance from Manipur Social Welfare Minister A. Mirabai, the ruling dispensation swung into action.
With civic elections in Imphal slated for June 2, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh understood the political ramifications of the matter. So on Friday the doctors of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) here were rushed to examine Tamphasana at her home in Tera near here. The chief minister is the chairman of the medical college and his intervention in the matter is obvious.
JNIMS Director Deven Laishram said: "We will make all necessary arrangements for her operation, medicines and other treatment free of charge. A hospital is not just for moneyed people only.”
There's another good news for Tamphasana. Local businessman Gitchandra Sharma has promised to offer a job to an able-bodied person in her family.
With things looking bright, Tamphasana's family is now hoping that she would be able to stand up on her own feet soon.