MYSORE: A Mysore-based educational institute has proposed the idea of providing healthcare to the dwindling number of freedom fighters in Mysore.

The strength of freedom fighters in Mysore district is estimated to be around 80. The Vidya Vikas Educational Trust (VVET) in the city has come forward to adopt twelve of them, who are finding it difficult to meet their healthcare expenses.

"Most of them are recognised only on Independence Day every year. But their lot continues to languish in neglect. Many freedom fighters, who are facing health problems do not have the resources to meet their health expenses," chairman of VVET and former Mayor Vasu has said.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday, he said VVET would felicitate 12 freedom fighters on Independence Day and announce a health scheme for them.

He appealed to other organisations in the city to come forward and adopt some freedom fighters and provide them with medical assistance. "There are nearly 80 freedom fighters in Mysore district. If eight or ten organisations come forward to adopt about ten of them each, the healthcare requirements of all surviving freedom fighters in the district can be taken care of," he said.

Healthcare

The Mysore District Freedom Fighters' Association has taken up the cause of healthcare for the surviving members.

They have been running pillar to post to secure aid for the medical needs of freedom fighters.

Jaisimha, a Gandhian and son of late freedom fighter M.N. Jois, told The Hindu that freedom fighters in Mysore continued to find the going tough.

Though freedom fighters were felicitated every year on Independence Day, their health care requirements remained neglected.

Financial problems

There were freedom fighters in Mysore, who are undergoing dialysis or are afflicted by stroke. There were some suffering from heart-related ailments. But, many of them were facing financial problems, he said.

The 12 freedom fighters chosen by VVET for its healthcare scheme are: B.N. Kenge Gowda, Vedantha Hemmige, H.K. Kumaraswamy, M.N. Krishnamurthy, T.N. Bharat Raj, D.S. Jagadish, M.S. Lakshmanappa, G.L.N. Aiyah, M.R. Attirangaiah, M.E. Guru, Premalatha Sundareshan and G. Parashuram.

Former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily will hoist the National Flag at Vidya Vikas Engineering College in Mysore on Independence Day and felicitate the 12 freedom fighters, Mr. Vasu added.

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