Udupi: Snake Bite Victim, Family in Dire Need of Assistance
Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Feb 13: In December last Udupi branch of YHAI had conducted a trekking journey to Bavadi, near Kollur in which about 22 members of Udupi and Mangalore branch had taken part. It was during our sojourn on the way to Bavadi falls we came to know the pathetic and sad story of a young man in his early 30’s Rajendra Naik and his family, one of the 8 families settled in this region. In November last Rajendra Naik, aged about 34 had a snake bite (venomous snake probably viper) while working in his fields. Rajendra is the only breadwinner of the family comprising his wife, young daughter (3 years) and aged mother. He was admitted to the hospital in Manipal for nearly a month. Despite treatment his condition showed no signs of improvement though his life is out of danger at the moment.
Listening to his plight and the appalling condition of his family, the members of the trekking expedition decided to take up the cudgels on his behalf and got into action and to our surprise realized that he and his family is in urgent need of financial help to enable him come out of the catastrophe that has struck him and his family. Our interaction with the doctors who treated him revealed that the snake bite had resulted in multiple ailments in him including renal failure. Rajendra’s family has spent more than Rs. 2 lakhs on his treatment with his wife managing to beg and borrow money from relatives and friends.
Unable to stay in the hospital for long due to the expenses involved he has been discharged since then but is not in a position to walk as the wounds on both his legs are deep and there is continuous bleeding in his feet. The bone of the right ankle is completely exposed as the flesh is completely decayed and corroded. As the wounds call for dressing every second day he has to travel to Kollur on vehicle on alternate days spending Rs. 500/- on vehicle. His wife is also unable to work as she has to attend to her husband who is not in a position to walk without help. Looking at his condition one wonders whether Rajendra will be able to stand on his legs leave alone do any physical work and earn bread for himself and his family.
We trekkers who had been to Bavadi have witnessed the sad plight of Rajendra Naik and family and also have interacted with the doctors trying to provide as much help as possible for the patient to enable his early recovery. One of the members even went to Bavadi with bags of grain to help the family in distress.
Bavadi is a small village with sparse human habitation. There are about 8 houses belonging to two families in this area. The nearest road to these families is Kollur which is about 10 kms from their dwelling place. The only source of livelihood to these families is cultivation in the small holdings they have been able to develop in this forest area. But even this cultivation is at the mercy of wild animals like Gaur, wild bear, langur and other animals who often destroy the fruit of their hard work. For Rajendra Naik cultivation was the only occupation and now that he is bedridden even that source of earning is completely closed. His house, just a shade without doors, windows or enclosures and mud floor is also in a dilapidated condition.
Generous help from kind-hearted donors would go a long way in providing timely medical treatment to Rajendra Naik and also ensure daily bread for him and his family.
Rajendra Naik’s address, bank details and contact number are as follows:
Name: Rajendra Naik
Moble Number: 9740620212
Kambalagadde,
Bavudi,
Post: Kollur
Kundapura Taluk
Karnataka.
Name: RAJENDRA S
Name of the bank: SYNDICATE BANK
SB Account No: 01752200036442
Branch: KOLLUR (KARNATAKA)
IFSC code: SYNB0000175