UP Governor Anandiben Patel Adopts Girl With TB

In a heart-warming step, Uttar Pradesh’s new governor Anandiben Patel recently adopted a girl suffering from Tuberculosis (TB). Her gesture inspired the staff at Raj Bhawan who also went on to adopt 21 children suffering from TB. The Governor and the staff at Raj Bhawan will now take on the responsibility of providing adequate medicine, proper education and nutritious food to the children so they can lead a better life.

All the children belong to an area close to the Raj Bhawan in Lucknow, UP which will allow the staff to monitor the growth of these children in a timely manner. The Governor said that it is the target set by PM Narendra Modi to make India TB-free by 2025 that has motivated the staff at Raj Bhawan to take the step.

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A Senior Raj Bhawan official said, “The Governor had suggested that a beginning be made from the area near Raj Bhawan and later spread this protective ring.”

“Adopting a child is not an obligation. It is the responsibility of a person to help society. Those who are rich should spare some money for these people who need help. These are small steps but can help in achieving a big target,” the Governor said.

She adds that the government cannot reach the interiors of the state and so it is also the responsibility of common people to help those suffering from TB and particularly those patients who belong to the lower strata of the society. She said that the marginalised people because of lack of awareness were not able to avail the benefits given by the government. “It is our responsibility to ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes reach the people who need them the most,” she said.

District Leprosy Officer Dr PK Gupta said that in Lucknow alone, there are around 14,600 TB patients and all of them will get Rs 500 as nutrition allowance.

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“Adopting a child is not an obligation. It is the responsibility of a person to help society. Those who are rich should spare some money for these people who need help. These are small steps but can help in achieving a big target”

Last month, Patel became the first-ever woman to be sworn-in as the governor of UP since independence. Before becoming the governor of UP, she was serving as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, from January 2018. She has been the Chief Minister of Gujarat after Narendra Modi left the post to become PM in 2014. However, she resigned from the position of Gujarat CM in 2016. She has held important portfolios in Gujarat cabinet between 1998 to 2014.

Apart from adopting the young girl, Patel also made some crucial changes after stepping into the position of UP governor. She has also opened the Raj Bhawan to public and reduced her security to be more approachable. Within a few weeks at work, she has also already called for a review meeting with officials and a meeting with the council of ministers in UP.

Picture credit: Mana Telengana