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Buddhia's mother faults State

Staff Reporter

`Where were the CWC and the Women and Child Department when we were starving?'

Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

`SEEKING A CHANCE': Buddhia Singh along with his mother Sukanti Singh, trustee member of Buddhia Singh Trust, at a press conference in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

BHUBANESWAR: A day before the hearing of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Khurda district on child marathon prodigy Buddhia Singh's proposed 500-km walk, his mother Sukanti Singh questioned the authority of the CWC in taking any decision about her son's fate.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Ms. Singh said: "Where were the CWC and the Women and Child Department when me, Buddhia and his two sisters were starving in the slum. They did not come to our rescue then."

She criticised the CWC's action of imposing interim restriction on her son's walkathon. Ms. Singh, who was eking out her livelihood as a maid, got a job in a private educational institute after Buddia hogged headlines for his incredible ability to run long distance.

"I have sought answers from the Women and Child Development Department as to how much money they have so far spent on Buddhia's welfare under Right To Information Act. If they have not spent anything on the child, how can they take any decision," she asked.

Ms. Singh was brought before the media after the decision to make Buddhia walk 500 km in summer season drew flak from different quarter and the CWC took a tough stand to exercise its power.

"Being mother of Buddhia, if I have no objection to his running or walking long distances, I do not understand why the government intervenes in his affairs," she said.

CWC objection

The CWC said that the child could not be engaged in the event as it was organised for some other's benefit. The quasi-judicial body summoned Biranchi Das, who claimed to be the foster father and coach of the boy, to explain on Thursday on arranging the walkathon. The event was being organised by the Buddhia Singh Trust (BST).

Meanwhile, Mr. Das amended in his declaration and said Buddhia would walk only 100 km instead of 500 km from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata in the 11-day-long event starting from June 6.

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