Education minister takes responsibility of orphan sisters fed for months by neighbours

Panseriya has got the sisters admitted to a private residential school and made fixed deposits of Rs. 5.25 lakh each for both of them for 15 years. This, he said, could be used for their marriage.  “We have not used any government scheme, and the expenses will be borne by me and my friends,” he told The Indian Express.

A father of two sons, the 48-year-old minister further shared that he had no daughters. “I have two sons who are grown-ups, and are staying abroad. I did not have a daughter. After seeing these orphan sisters, I decided to take care of all their responsibilities. The walls in the hut they lived in were made of bamboo, and the roof was broken. We will bear all the expenses for the construction of their new house and we will give it on rent. The rent amount will be deposited in a joint bank account of these girls.”

He further added. “The fixed deposit amount will mature after 15 years… and till that time, they would be grown-ups. The amount can be used behind their marriage. They have been admitted to a school to ensure a secure future. Every Diwali and summer vacation, I will bring them to my home till the school reopens. I also told school trustee Parimal Parmar to pay extra attention to these girls; and if needed… we will also make arrangements for personal tutors.”

On Sunday, the sisters spent the day with the minister at his home. Panseriya also went shopping for their clothes and other necessary items. He shared that he invited his close friends to his house and shared their story. His friends too decided to contribute to raise them.

The next day, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new house. Later in the afternoon, Panseriya took Sanjana and Vanshika to Shantaba School, run by Malvi Education Trust at Kukeri village in Chikhli taluka of Navsari district. He said he has paid Rs 1 lakh to the school authorities for education and hostel facilities. Sanjana has been admitted in Class 3, and Vanshika in Class 2.

Lalubhai Desai said, “Our village population is 1,200 — 300 are tribals. A few days ago, I received a call from some locals who had requested for construction of a new house for them. After getting more information, I learned that their father Kishan Rathod, a farm laborer, died in September, and their mother Anita left her husband and children four years ago and went to her parent’s house in Simlak village.  After the death of their father, the girls were being given food by neighbours. They also had to drop out of school. Even as elderly people in the village were taking care of them, their safety remained a concern.”

He further added, “There is nobody in the family of these two girls. I called up our MLA and state education minister Praful Panseriya and shared the information. After visiting their house and seeing the condition of both these girls, Prafulbhai was quite shocked and became emotional. He announced that he would be the father of these girls and take responsibility for their education and marriage.”