Brave Odisha teen girl saves lives of her siblings

Berhampur (Odisha): Manika, a 13-year-old orphaned girl from Koraput, has left no stones unturned to feed her younger brother and sister. And, when nothing helped her feeble siblings, in an exemplary show of courage and affection, Manika took her anaemic brother and sister to Koraput Hospital all alone.

For better treatment, they were sent to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. Things began to look up once they reached Berhampore. Help poured in for the brave girl while Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik assured them all assistance.

The struggle for survival for Manika began after her father had deserted them and their mother died last year. Manika started working as a maid tying Kamala, her two-year-old sister on her back. Radha, her brother, worked as a cowherd.

Despite working hard, the children could not meet a square meal. Radha fell sick and soon Kamala also fell sick. Instead of being flummoxed by the situation, Manika acted wisely and brought them to the hospital.

The hospital declared their treatment to be free, while Bipin Bihari Lenka, a Hindi teacher, has donated one month’s salary to them.