Khordha Family Sells Land, Seeks Help for Son’s Treatment

Khordha, Oct 14: At just 10 years old, Nihar Ranjan Behera of Maradabadi village in Bolgad block should have been spending his days with books and friends. Instead, an unknown illness has left him wheelchair‑bound, turning his childhood into a painful struggle.

Eight months ago, Nihar fell from his bed at night. The following day, while accompanying his father to collect ration rice, he suddenly lost the ability to walk. Since then, his condition has worsened.

Despite months of treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, including long stays in the ICU, his health has not improved. He now undergoes daily physiotherapy at home.

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His father, a daily wage labourer earning about ₹400 a day, has already sold land and exhausted all family savings to fund treatment. But physiotherapy alone costs nearly ₹500 daily, leaving the family unable to meet medical expenses or household needs.

Seeking help, Nihar attended a district administration public hearing camp in Bolgad. His plight caught the attention of Khordha SP Parmar Smith Purushottamdas, who personally interacted with him.

District Collector extended support by handing over a ₹25,000 cheque from the Red Cross fund, while the SP contributed ₹5,000 and Bolgad Tehsildar Bijay Kumar Sethi added another ₹5,000.

Nihar’s mother, Hiramani, said: “Everything was fine since birth, but for the past eight months he has become like this due to an unknown disease. He cannot speak, cannot recognize us. We sold all we had for treatment, but now nothing is left.”

The family has appealed for further assistance, as the current aid offers only temporary relief. Local residents have praised the administration’s humane gesture, but acknowledge that Nihar’s long‑term treatment will require sustained support.