Manoj Badgeri
Thane: Days after the news of former cricketer Vinod Kambli being admitted to a Bhiwandi-based hospital spread, help started pouring in for him from several corners, including Rs 30 lakh generated through crowdfunding, transport minister Pratap Sarnaik revealed on Wednesday.
Sarnaik told the media persons after he visited the cricketer, who is recuperating at the Akruti Health City Hospital, that he, along with the Shiv Sena chief and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, would bear all further medical expenses of the cricketer for his lifetime. In addition, Dr Shailesh Thakur, director of the hospital, has also announced lifetime free treatment for the cricketer, while a North-India-based group has arranged for financial assistance for his family.
“We have recommended the doctors undertake a complete body check-up of the cricketer to detect all health issues and accordingly modify the treatment procedure. Shinde (Eknath) saheb and I will bear all the cost for his treatment and medical expenses at the two charity hospitals operating in Thane city. In addition, an NGO – Vaanar Sena – operating from the North is in touch with us and has collected Rs 30 lakh through various donors, which will soon be given to his family,” Sarnaik told the media.
Meanwhile, Sarnaik, who is also a close family friend of the Kamblis, interacted with the cricketer in the hospital ICU and wished him a long and healthy life, adding that he may have made some mistakes in life but is now committed to start a new innings. “You have scored many centuries on the field, but now you have to complete a century (100 years) of your life and help train aspiring cricketers to recreate your magic on the field,” Sarnaik told Kambli.
Sarnaik later shared memories with the cricketer, saying how the Kamblis were part of his family functions and how they celebrated their first marriage anniversary at his Yeour farmhouse.
