Balasore: Monalisa Mandal from Odisha has been battling with life-threatening cancer since 2018 but that has not deterred her from achieving the first feat in her life and proving everyone that if there are courage and determination, one can overcome the biggest obstacle.
A resident of Juari village under Alumeda panchayat of Balasore district, Monalisa was diagnosed with bone cancer in her right hand since 2018. As she was undergoing treatment, she could not appear in her matriculation examination in 2019.
However, despite the ongoing chemotherapies, high dosage of medicines, she eventually made up her mind to appear Class 10 board exams with her left hand this year. Though she was advised by her family members to skip exams, she was definitely not the one to quit.
Subsequently, she wrote her matric papers with her left hand and managed to score 80 per cent much to the delight of everyone.
“One month ahead of matric exams, I started feeling extreme pain in my right hand. My family members asked me leave out the exam but I was adamant on my decision and appeared the papers by consuming pain killers,” narrates Monalisa.
Despite being a meritorious student, finance instability seems to have become a hindrance in Monalisa’s dreams. Her father, Ajay Mandal earns livelihood by doing farming activities but now her disease has taken a toll on their family's well being as they continue to spend all their savings in her treatment.
Monalisa’s mother, Sabita Mandal has appealed the government to help for the treatment of her daughter.
"We have spent all our assets so our now hopes lie on the administration. If they can lend a helping hand, we can save our child," she said.
Apprised about the matter, the Block Development Officer (BDO) met Monalisa and provided Rs 10,000 aid from Red Cross funds. He also assured that she will be taken to Balasore headquarters hospital for further treatment.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
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