Daltonganj, June 4: Six-year-old Sonu Kumar may be able to see because of chief minister Arjun Munda.

Sonu, who has been blind since birth, mustered the courage to visit Munda and tell him about her problems today. The family is dependent on the money Sonu earns through begging. Her father, Vibhuti Giri, of Dharkatia, a village in Lesliganj of Palamau, worked as a labourer in the fields. He has been unable to work since he was taken ill. Her mother, Sushila Devi, cannot work in the fields because of poor health. Sushila Devi said the family has not eaten for the past three days. It is suspected that Sonu?s blindness could be from malnutrition. Sonu has four other siblings, one of whom is mentally challenged.

With no BPL card or benefits from social welfare schemes, Sonu, along with her mother and six-month-old sister, today visited Munda as a last resort.

But getting an appointment with the chief minister was harder than they thought. Security personnel stopped them, saying that Munda was busy in a meeting with BJP workers.

They were told to give their complaints in writing. Sonu was not able to utter a word, while her illiterate mother started to sob. However, a BJP worker from Lesliganj, who was familiar with Sonu?s case, hurriedly arranged for an appointment. Sonu was allowed to meet Munda during the meeting.

Munda walked up to the mother and daughter as soon as the meeting was over. Touching Sonu?s eyes, he asked her if she could see anything. He then turned to his press adviser and ordered him to tell the deputy commissioner to ensure that Sonu?s eyes were treated. Sushila Devi was to be given a house under the Indira Awas Yojna.

?I see God in Arjun Munda. No one has ever done anything for me,? said Sushila Devi, after the meeting.