India | Updated Jul 06, 2006 at 12:10pm IST

Kalam promises to help Orissa kid

Jajati Karan, CNN-IBN

Bhubaneswar: There is no denying the fact that President APJ Abdul Kalam loves children.

A seventeen-year-old student from Balasore district of Orissa, J Sonal, had a dream to become a scientist, but he developed an eyesight defect when he was in school.

As a result he could not read for more than two hours a day.

Sonal’s father, a bank manager, had his eyes examined at many places but Sonal could not get the required treatment.

However, Sonal despite the handicap got a 10th rank in the State’s plus two exams.

After reading media reports on Sonal's struggle that appeared few weeks’ back, President Kalam was deeply moved.

In his recent three-day visit to Orissa, President Kalam promised to help Sonal.

"The Eye Institute should treat Sonal's eye and the financial assistance can be arranged. People similar to Sonal in the country, should also be given free treatment," President Kalam said.

The President’s assurance has made Sonal hopeful that he will be able to see properly again.

"I am so happy to know that the President thought about me. I feel this gesture will help not only me but other talented disabled children in the country as well," Sonal said.

Sonal now wants to become an IAS Officer and serve in rural India.

With inputs from Devdas Kundu and Saqib Malik.

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