In a humanitarian gesture, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday approved airlifting of critically-ill daughter of a retired naval officer from Chhattisgarh to the Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi, after the father tweeted to him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking help.
In a series of tweets, Ravi Kant Soni, who served in the navy for 20 years, had urged the Ministry of Defence for air evacuation of his daughter, who is on a ventilator at a hospital in Bhilai with insufficient medical facilities.
(1/9) Dear @narendramodi @PMOIndia @manoharparrikar Sirs, as a retired Naval Officer, having given over 20 years of my life to the
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(2/9) Indian Navy and presently serving as District Soldier Welfare Officer, I had requested MoD for air evacuation of my critically
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(3/9) injured dependent daughter who is fighting for her life on ventilator in ICU at Bhilai (C.G.) with insufficient medical facilities
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(4/9) which are desperately required at this moment to save her life. Hence, she needs to be moved to R&R Hospital, Delhi ASAP at any cost.
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(5/9) All hopes due to the absolute positive response of the Air Force seem to have died down at the last moment due to some bureaucratic
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(6/9) reason. If my daughter cannot be shifted today, it maybe too late for us. We’re losing valuable time. It is not possible for Civil air
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(7/9) ambulance to operate in weather conditions prevailing at Raipur and Delhi with such a critical patient. Also, civil air ambulances are
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(8/9) not allowed to operate/land at Delhi airport post 1800h. Sirs you can still help. Your much needed help will go a long way in
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(9/9) reinforcing the faith of lakhs of serving as well as retired defence personnel that they place in the Indian Armed Forces.
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
The principal spokesperson of Ministry of Defence responded within hours, approving airlifting of his critically injured daughter.
RM @manoharparrikar approves airlifting of critically ill daughter of ex-naval officer @ravi2898; RM also spoke to patient’s brother.
— DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) July 25, 2016
Soni later tweeted expressing gratitude towards Manohar Parrikar and the IAF team for extending immediate support and pulling his daughter out of emergency situation.
(1/2) Extremely grateful to the hon’ble Defence Minister @manoharparrikar and the entire IAF team which has always been supportive in
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(2/2)getting us out of this emergency. This monumenal support can never be forgotten. Proud to be a part of the IndianArmedForces. Jai Hind.
— Ravi Kant Soni (@ravi2898) July 25, 2016
(Feature Image Source: Twitter)
