INDIA: Peddulu can no longer see his dream come true

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Peddulu can no longer see his dream come true

The Hindu - June 15, 2015

By T. KARNAKAR REDDY

Fluoride victim and activist who fought for fluoride-free water to Nalgonda is no more

Fluorosis victim, Vaikiti Peddulu’s dream of seeing the construction of Dindi Lift Irrigation is all set become true within two-and-half years since Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao laid foundation stone for the same last Friday, but the 36-year-old man had a premature demise before his dream was materialised.

Peddulu attended the public meeting of the Chief Minister at Sivannagudem village on last Friday and fell unconscious due to high blood pressure at the end of the meeting.

He was shifted to Osmania General Hospital the same evening for better treatment. The doctors attending on him spotted a blood clot in his brain which needed a surgery.

While the doctors were preparing to conduct a surgery, he died on Sunday at 1 p.m. Peddulu, born in Krishnpauram village of Chintapally mandal, was a victim of skeletal fluorosis and could not even move a step forward without a wheelchair.

However, he had been a very active member of Fluorosis Vimukti Porata Samiti (FVMS), which has been fighting with the sole demand of supply of surface water for drinking and irrigation needs across Nalgonda.

Peddulu arrived to Sivannagudem village where the Chief Minister laid foundation stone for Dindi Project on Friday.

He was all smiles. Accompanied by FVMS founder Kanchukatla Subhash, a host of fluorosis victims along with Peddulu arrived to thank the Chief Minister for taking the initiative on Dindi, but they could not meet him due to heavy rain. Speaking to this reporter, Peddulu had said, “Maa kashtalu teere roju vachindi sir. Ika naa lanti vadu ee jillalo evadu puttadu (Our problems will end soon and no one like me would be born hereafter).

Peddulu’s wife Padma, Mr. Subhash, the villagers and others have urged the State government to extend all help to the family members granting Rs. 10 lakh aid and five acres land apart from other benefits.

SOURCE:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/t ... 316893.ece