Bigni Devi, aged and visually challenged, was sheepishly standing by the side of Tatisilwai road on Friday and waiting for someone to help her cross over when she got assistance from an unexpected quarter.
Former Union minister and Congress’s Lok Sabha candidate from Ranchi parliamentary seat Subodh Kant Sahay, who was on his way to campaign in Tatisilwai along with his supporters, spotted Bigni, got off his car and helped her cross the road.
Moved by the kind gesture of a stranger, Bigni (67), still unaware of the Sahay’s profile, asked him his name and blessed him.
“We were crossing the stretch around 11.30am when I spotted her. Apparently, she didn’t know who I was. When local residents introduced me to her, she said she had nothing to offer except her blessings,” Sahay said.
Sahay said he didn’t have the heart to seek vote from the woman, but Bigni, a resident of Silwai panchayat, said she would surely vote for him provided somebody took her to the polling booth.
“Her blessings are more important to me. I had a sense of satisfaction after helping her. But I was equally upset when I came to know about her condition. I am ashamed of the fact that India, which is a welfare state, cannot take care of its poor,” Sahay said.
Sahay stayed with Bigni for around 20 minutes till a girl came searching for her.
“She is blind in both eyes and has no way to sustain herself. Still she hasn’t been given the benefit of disability pension,” Sahay said.
The former Union minister said Bigni told him she had once visited the civil surgeon’s office to get a disability certificate, but didn’t receive any help.
“What is the state government and district administration doing? Is it not their responsibility to provide support to people in need like her? I don’t know whether I will win this election or suffer defeat, but I asked my workers to bring her to me after May 6 once polling in Ranchi is over. I will ensure she gets disability pension and benefits of other welfare scheme,” he said.
Besides Tatisilwai, Sahay on Friday campaigned in around two dozen villages under Angara block such as Hesal, Belbari, Salhan, Turup, Childag, Lupung, Mahli Tola, Bandhya, Raja Dera, Sirka, Maheshpur, Getalsud, Bija, Kuchu, Haratu and Chadu.
He interacted with villagers and sought votes for Congress. “I talked to local youths and farmers who are facing an agrarian crisis. Rural Ranchi exposes the tall claims of the Raghubar Das government. Farmers don’t have market to sell their products. The Das government, which fools people by holding job fairs, should explain why the youths of the capital city are unemployed,” he said.
