-The Times of India
MUMBAI: In a glaring case of apathy, ailing self-trained farm innovator Dadaji Khobragade (80), who revolutionized paddy farming by developing the high yielding variety of rice called HMT, is struggling to meet his medical expenses. His family has been forced to make a public appeal for donations for just Rs 2 lakh to pay for his hospitalisation.
Khobragade, who hails from Nanded village in Nagbid tehsil of eastern Chandrapur, has received more than 100 awards, including the prestigious President’s award, for his innovations. He was also on Forbes’ list of “seven most powerful rural Indian entrepreneurs whose inventions are changing lives across India” in 2010. Khobragade suffered a stroke 3 years ago and his health began deteriorating a few months ago.
His son Mitrajit told TOI from Nanded that for the past two years, his father has been on ayurvedic treatment offered free or at minimal cost by a local village doctor. “His health started failing over the past few months. We consulted a doctor in Nanded city who suggested that we admit him to a hospital. We were asked to make arrangements for at least Rs 2 lakh,” said Mitrajit.
After learning of Khobragade’s plight on social media, digital marketing consultant Sukhada Chaudhary started a crowdfunding campaign for the family to collect Rs 2 lakh for him. By Monday, she had managed to collect close to Rs 1.2 lakh.
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