SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 1: Ace sprinter of Dhanbad Julie Kumari (16), who met with a road accident some time back, is struggling for life in lack of financial help at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) Ranchi.
For time being, two youths identified as Rahul Modak and Mahveer Mahto have arranged around Rs 1.20 lakh through crowdfunding for their initial treatment and have called upon more help in order to continue their treatment at RIMS.
Notably, Julie met with a road accident on the morning of October 29 while going to Ranchi from Dhanbad on a bike with her cousin to participate in the Jharkhand athletics team trial at Morabadi for the 37th Junior National Athletics Championship.
On the way to Ranchi, her bike skidded at Mahuda near Dhanbad- Bokaro border and she fell down. Julie suffered a major head injury and was immediately admitted to Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) Dhanbad. Since SNMMCH offers no treatment in cases related to neurotrauma, she was referred to the Bokaro General Hospital (BGH).
Tribal welfare minister Champai Soren took cognizance of Julie’s plight and got her admitted at RIMS Ranchi.
Family members of Julie have stated that her condition is critical as a blood clot has developed in her head and they cannot afford to bear the cost of treatment.
Dhanbad District Athletic Association president Kiran Rani Nayak said that the district secretary Bandhan Toppo has visited Julie in RIMS and provided financial help. “The association would not let Julie suffer for funds,” she said.
Notably, Julie, a resident of Banderchua village in the Baliapur block of Dhanbad hails from a poor family. Her father died a few years ago and her mother works as a daily wage worker to run a family of three. Julie has a brother, who is 11 years younger than her.
Julie is a sprint champion of the district and is considered the most promising talent of state athletics. District athletics association treasurer Zubair Alam regarding this said that association members would go to any extent to save Julie. He said further urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the Sports Minister Hafizul Hasan to help Julie.
