Bangalore: Tree fall shatters athlete's dreams, philanthropist, govt extend helping hand

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (VM/SP)

Bangalore, Jun 9: High jumper K C Chandana, who suffered serious injuries after the branch of a tree fell on her a few days back, has been recovering at Hosmat Hospital here. The doctors said that Chandana, hailing from Subrahmanya in Dakshina Kannada district, has been showing good signs of recovery.

Chandana, who was practicing for the upcoming National Athletic Championship at Chennai at Kanteerava Stadium here, was returning in her two-wheeler, when the branch of a tree suddenly fell on her at Cubbon Park, inflicting serious injuries on her.

“There are signs of speedy recovery. She will be allowed to go home in a week. We will remove the rods and plates fitted in her legs and back in about 12 to 15 months period. She will need to undergo physiotherapy to gain lost strength. As she is mentally strong, we expect her to recover fast,” said Dr Thomas Chandy.

Expressing sorrow at not being able to participate in an upcoming sports event, Chandana says with tears in her eyes, “I had fully prepared for the inter-state athletics meet. Before attending the office of the railways at Majestic, I used to practice for two hours, following with a light practice session in the evening. On Wednesday May 29, I was returning home from practice. I don’t know what happened, and I cannot recollect the incident,” Chandana said with tears in her eyes.

With injuries to her hip, thigh bone and nose, Chandana is expected to be out of action for at least a year, which means she would miss Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games next year.

She said she has received Rs one lac from Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, Rs 40,000 from the department of youth services and sports, as well as Rs 25,000 from former athlete, Ashwini Nachappa. “We are looking forward to Rs 1.5 lac financial assistance promised by the state government. No one from Karnataka Athletics Association or Sports Authority of India has paid even a courtesy visit to Chandana so far to enquire about her health,” rued Chethana, sister of Chandana.

Meanwhile, on Friday June 7, NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Colaco too visited Chandana and after interacting with her, handed over a cheque. Minister for youth services and sports Abhaychandra Jain too handed over a cheque to cover her medical expenses.