Kozhikode: It was a moment of joy for the patients of the paediatric cancer ward in Kozhikode Medical College. The 30 children, afflicted by leukaemia, became oblivious of their pain and trauma and devoured with joy the sweets and accepted the presents offered by their favourite hero Kunchako Bobban.
On being taken out to watch the film, Jamna Pyari’ at Film City at R.P.Mall, the children did not even have a faint hint that they would meet the hero of the film and receive gifts from him. When the children came out after a hilarious treat offered by autorickshaw driver Vasuttan on the screen, they were virtually wonderstruck. For, the hero was waiting for them.
At least for a short while, they forgot their illness. In no time, the kids got busy exchanging pleasantries and capturing selfies with the film star on their mobiles. The sojourn for the children aged between three and 15 years, was organised by Mathru Sisu Samrakshana Kendram, Caring for Childhood Cancer and Chronic Illness Society, which functions under the Institute of Palliative Medicine and Arm of Joy.
The initiative was aimed at offering a relief to the patients and their mothers who were destined to remain confined within the hospital and their homes.
Upon knowing about the programme, Kunchako Bobban, who was set to take part in the celebrations, planned to mark the 25th day of the film, expressed his willingness to join and a special show was arranged for them. He also sponsored the lunch for his special guests. The celebrations got off after the show with the hero cutting cake with the children and the star distributing sweets to the kids and sarees to their mothers.
They then had food at the Gothewaram Resort at Beypore, spent the evening at the beach and returned happily.
Society secretary Deepa Pavithran, joint secretary Sulekha Gafoor and Arm for Joy activists G.Anoop and Rekha Das were the key organisers.