There is nobody to look after me:Disabled father of Sikh woman who offered kidney to Muslim friend
Jammu, Dec 2: The father of a Sikh woman in Jammu and Kashmir who expressed her desire to donate one of her kidneys to her female Muslim friend, appealed to his daughter Sunday to "reconsider" her decision taking into account his medical condition and sought the governor's intervention.
Manjot Singh Kohli, 23, a social and human rights activist, had recently made her decision public to donate one of her kidneys to her 22-year-old Muslim friend Samreen Akhtar of Rajouri district, but said objections by her family and a hospital in Srinagar were delaying the procedure.
"With folded hands, I am requesting my daughter to abandon the plan to relieve me of the trouble as you are aware of my medical condition and there is nobody to look after me," Gurdeep Singh Kohli, who has 75 per cent disability and is unable to walk, told reporters at his Udhampur residence.
The activist's father had already served a notice to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, opposing her daughters decision, saying "there is no family consent".
Manjot Singh Kohli's parents met with an accident in 2014, resulting in the death of her mother while his father escaped with serious injuries and underwent a major operation.
"Have mercy on me and come back. You are not doing any good as your own father requires you, who else are here to look after me. I cannot bear this shock," he said and sought the intervention of state governor Satya Pal Malik to save the life of his daughter.
Gurdeep Singh Kohli, known among his family and friends as Pinka, broke down and said his only son is working in Delhi and he had done everything possible to ensure good education to his children.
"I gave her the best of the education and enrolled her in a school in Himachal Pradesh where noted Bollywood actresses have studied. When her (Akhtar's) mother is medically fit to donate a kidney, why they are compelling my daughter," he said.
He said his daughter left about nine months back, had opened an institute in Jammu and informed him that she is moving to Srinagar for a three-month course.
"On November 10, she came along with her friend and informed me that she wanted to donate kidney to her. I opposed when her friend left. What she is doing is illegal as she cannot donate her kidney outside blood relation," he said terming her move as an attempt to "attract attention".
He said people are welcoming her decision and sending congratulatory messages but "I know it is for the time being and nobody will look back once she is done. They will take care of her for some time and then she is young and it is my wish to marry her off. After donating the kidney, nobody is going to marry her".
Manjot Singh Kohli had said "we have been friends for the past four years and I am emotionally attached to her. Also, it is my strong belief in humanity that is motivating me to donate my kidney."
She said Akhtar has been involved in social activism with her for the past many years in Jammu.
"But, Akhtar never told me about her illness and I came to know through a mutual friend. She has been my friend and supporter in my tough times and I decided to donate a kidney to her when she needs it," she said.
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No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
