October 27, 2025

Bhopal witnessed a heart-rending story this Dhanteras when 11-year-old Senu from Khamkheda Jatra village near Ashta in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh, was injured by a carbide gun. The young boy, excited with his Rs 150 carbide gun bought from a local market, suffered an eye injury on the morning of Dhanteras, October 18. However, due to money worries, his father Jitendra Verma first sought local treatment and only made it to Bhopal for specialized care on October 23 — a five-day delay that risked the boy’s vision. “Doctors in Ashta charged Rs 800 and warned that if we did not move to Bhopal immediately, he could lose his eyesight,” Jitendra said. Yet, without enough cash, he had no choice but to use his Diwali savings and borrow money before heading to Sewa Sadan Charitable Eye Hospital in Bhopal. There, within two days, their costs swelled to Rs 15,000, adding insult to injury since the family’s Ayushman Bharat card, meant to ease healthcare expenses, was not accepted. “I have an Ayushman Bharat card, but it was not entertained. I paid around Rs 11,000 in Ashta and nearly Rs 15,000 overall,” lamented Jitendra. The hospital claimed they should have been informed before treatment about the card, but precious time had already slipped away. Meanwhile, Senu, who loves cricket and kabaddi and dreams of studying at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), worries about the impact this injury might have. “I got the form for Rs 500 and books for Rs 700 for the entrance exam. I do not know how I will appear in the test now,” he said with a heavy heart. The Sehore collector Balaguru K has not responded to media queries. Meanwhile, the family awaits the November 1 follow-up appointment, hoping for a miracle. This sad tale shows how financial struggles and system hurdles can dim a child's bright future, even during joyous festivals like Dhanteras.

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Tags: Carbide gun injury, Ayushman bharat, Child health, Sehore district, Medical costs, Eye hospital,