Chattisgarh: Parents of athlete Reeba express gratitude to CM for providing financial help

Raipur (Chattisgarh) [India], August 9 (ANI)- Parents of Reeba Benni, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship held in New Zealand last month have expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for providing financial assistance to her which ensured her participation in the tournament.

They met the CM at his ‘Jan Darshan’ (public interaction) program held on Thursday at the Chief Minister’s residence here.

“A generous intervention by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai ensured Reeba’s participation in the Commonwealth Fencing Championship in July despite initial financial setbacks,” according to an official release.

During a ‘Jandarshan’ program at the Chief Minister’s residence, it was brought to light that Reeba was selected to compete in New Zealand but lacked the funds necessary for her trip. Upon knowing this, the Chief Minister took swift action, approving an amount of four lakh rupees to cover her expenses, the release said.

As a gesture of gratitude, Reeba’s parents on Thursday visited the Chief Minister’s residence during the weekly ‘Jan Darshan’ and presented him with a coconut as a token of their appreciation and respect.

Meanwhile, during the Jan Darshan program at his residence, CM personally heard the grievances of citizens for the third time. People from across the state gathered to present their issues, with a significant number of differently-abled individuals among them.

Komal Lahre, a differently-abled person, arrived at the Jan Darshan program with his wife Gauri Lahre, who is also differently-abled. They came with the hope of seeking financial assistance.

“We are both disabled and survive by begging. We have two sons, and today, we have come to the Chief Minister’s Jan Darshan to seek help. We want financial support so that our children can grow up to become IAS or IPS officers,” Komal Lahore shared.

His wife, Gauri Lahre, echoed his sentiments, expressing, “I am illiterate and cannot read or write. We struggle by begging, but we wish for our children to become educated and achieve great things in life.”

Sukh Sagar Kevat, another differently-abled individual, travelled from Janjgir-Champa to attend the Jan Darshan program.

He shared his request, saying, “We are here today to ask the Chief Minister for a tricycle. In the previous Jan Darshan program, the Chief Minister had provided tricycles to some differently-abled people, and we hope to receive the same assistance.”

The Jan Darshan program continues to be a crucial platform for citizens to directly communicate their issues to the Chief Minister, who is committed to addressing their concerns, the release said.