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A day after MiD DAY chronicled 106-yr-old's plight, Thane tehsildar's office wakes up

RELIEVED: Freedom fighter CHB Vitthaldas

There's a ray of hope for 106-year-old freedom fighter CHB Vitthaldas.

A day after MiD DAY reported the veteran's plight in getting his pension account transferred from the Thane tehsil office to his hometown in Andhra Pradesh, help has come pouring in for the freedom fighter.

Besides the Thane tehsildar's office, social organisations and prominent personalities from Mumbai have pledged their support for Vitthaldas's family.

"I am happy at this development, which was quite expected," Vitthaldas told MiD DAY. "I know that people of my country are helpful by nature. I have witnessed their support during the days of the freedom struggle." His son, Omprakash (46), told MiD DAY that the family had been receiving calls from various social outfits in Andhra Pradesh, offering support.

"Since two days, we have been receiving phone calls. An officer from the Thane tehsildar's office contacted us personally to say that the procedure to transfer the pension account would be completed soon."

After MiD DAY broke the story, several sections of the media based in Hyderabad -- print and electronic -- approached the family.

Actor Suresh Oberoi, father of Vivek Oberoi, offered help to the family the very day MiD DAY carried the story.

"It was sad to know what a freedom fighter is going through at this age. Please let me know if I could do anything for Vithal bhai," Oberoi wrote in an email to MiD DAY.

Jagan Babbu, President of Maza Maharashtra Telugu Manch, an organisation working for Telugus in Mumbai, contacted MiD DAY. "We will do our best to get Vitthaldas's pension transferred to Hyderabad. Besides, we are willing to provide any support to the family."