Adilabad Collector reaches out to family of Santosh, who was killed in action at Siachen
Adilabad Collector Jyothy Buddha Prakash has “adopted” the family of a martyred soldier.
The IAS officer is among the first to respond to the call given by the Civil and Administrative Service (Central) Association to IAS officers across the country to adopt a family of martyred soldiers and Central Armed Police Force personnel.
Nurturing bonds
The family he has chosen to help is that of V. Santosh Kumar, who was killed in action during Operation Meghdoot in Siachen on December 24, 2015.
Santosh Kumar was a bachelor and is survived by his mother and brother. Prakash recollected the case as it was he who dealt with the file for releasing compensation to the family, residing in erstwhile Adilabad district. His brother was provided a job in the Panchayat Raj department in Nirmal.
After the reorganisation of districts in Telangana, Adilabad was divided into Asifabad, Nirmal and Mancherial districts. Now, Santosh Kumar’s mother lives in Asifabad.
“I deputed my Assistant Collector to meet the family and understand how it was faring after losing the earning member. We cannot fill the void left by the loved one. But we can at least step into his shoes and be of help with a personal touch, and bond with the family,” Mr. Prakash told The Hindu.
It is a simple gesture but Mr. Prakash believes it can mean a lot to the families coping with their loss.
A ‘gentle reminder’
“The Central IAS Officers’ Association resolution is a gentle reminder to the fraternity to serve people with a human face which we should anyway do,” he said. The role of the administration should not end with handing over compensation to the families — many a time, the families of the deceased are forced to run from pillar to post for years to get the promised help, he said.
First to respond
The Telangana IAS Officers’ Association was the first State body to pass the ‘Adopt a family’ resolution following the call given by the Central Association of Indian Civil and Administrative Service.
Though termed adoption, it does not necessarily require the officer to extend financial help. It entails providing crucial hand-holding and support on a sustained basis.
The idea is to give a sense of caring and security to the family members and facilitate help by cutting bureaucratic delays in various government welfare schemes.
“This is just the beginning. We will identify families of martyred defence personnel and policemen with the help of the District Sainik Welfare officer. The IAS officers will be in touch with them and take responsibility for the families. They will extend all help to those who face challenges on children’s education, skill training for livelihood or medical help,” he said.