A writer comes to another's help

18 March,2009 09:25 AM IST |   |  Madhusudan Maney

Celebrated historian Ramachandra Guha says he can pay for Kannada detective fiction writer N Narasimhaiah's treatment from a relief fund


Celebrated historian Ramachandra Guha says he can pay for Kannada detective fiction writer N Narasimhaiah's treatment from a relief fund

Writer and historian Ramachandra Guha is willing to help ailing Kannada fiction writer N Narasimhaiah who can't afford his medical bills. The government, on the other hand, says its hands are tied.

Good Samaritan: Writer Ramachandra Guha has been quick to react

MiD DAY had reported that Narasimhaiah, 85, who had written over 550 books including detective and paranormal stories, suffered from heart disease and had no money to pay his bills. But all that may soon be a thing of the past.

Guha said, "Let Narasimhaiah get admitted at the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and inform us. I will take care of his expenses. We have a relief fund for the poor from which we can help him out. If Narasimhaiah has to undergo a surgery, even that can be done out of this relief fund. We have a few government hospitals on our list like Jayadeva, Kidwai etc where treatment can be given to a poor patient free of cost."

Royalty

Apart from Guha, there were others who wanted to chip in, even if not financially.
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Siddalingaiah, president of the Kannada Book Authority, said, "We have to check with the publishers if he has been given any financial assistance. Actually, these publishers have to pay him a royalty. In the meantime, I will write a letter to the government to help him financially for his treatment and other expenses," he added.

No help from govt

Mukhyamantri Chandru, president of the Kannada Development Authority, said, "We don't have any provision to pay for his medical expenses, but I can definitely ask people to come forward to help him."

He still has fans
Writer K S Nissar Ahmed would read Narasimhaiah's books during his college days. "He has contributed a lot to Kannada literature," he said. " But at present, the basic need is to help him with financial assistance. I think the government should come forward to help this man and bear his medical expenses. Later comes the academics, reprinting his books, conducting seminars etc which take a lot of time. Academics should come forward with an idea to help him and request the government to provide financial assistance."
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