Pravasi Odias in Delhi hold Candle Light March in memory of Avinash

Hundreds of Pravasi Odias gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi this evening, demanding justice for seven-year-old Odia boy Avinash, who died of dengue after being denied treatment by various hospitals and his parents, who committed suicide for not being able to save their only son.

The Candle Light Vigil and March was held in memory of Avinash and his parents and to seek justice. The event was organised by Pravasi Odia Vikash Samiti in Delhi. One of the leading journalists in Delhi, Kishore Dwibedi and Uday India Editor Deepak Rath attended the demonstration. Many other eminent Odia citizens and activists in Delhi also participated in the candle march. A condolence meeting will be held at Hauz Khas Jagannath Temple tomorrow at 7 PM.

The participants at the Candle March slammed the gross negligence of respective hospitals in Delhi, Doctors, Delhi Administration and a dormant Odisha Government Representative in Delhi.

It can be recalled Avinash was denied treatment by several hospitals in Delhi, including Max hospital in Saket, Moolchand Khairatiram Hospital in Lajpat Nagar, Saket City Hospital, Irene Hospital, Kalkaji and Aakash Hospital in Malviya Nagar. He was admitted into Batra Hospital in critical condition, but breathed his last on September 7.

Soon after their son’s death, his parents Laxman Chandra Rout and Babitta Rout, jumped off the building to commit suicide on September 8. After media took up the issue, the Centre as well as the Delhi Government woke up to the danger of dengue and issued notices to the erring hospitals. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has swung into action following the shocking tragedy.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the kin of the deceased and also set up a dengue helpline for Odia patients in New Delhi. He also asked the Kendrapara District Administration to include Laxmidhar’s family into various social security schemes.