Sharmila moved by fluoride spectacle
Nalgonda, Feb 11, 2013: Striding through the fluoride-affected villages of Marrigudem Mandalam in Nalgonda district on the 62nd day of her Maro Praja Prasthanam on Sunday, Smt. Y. S. Sharmila met with the fluoride victims for most part of the day and assured them that YSR Congress Party would give top priority to solve the issue when it came to power under the leadership of Sri Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Smt. Sharmila, who became highly emotional and went into sobs after witnessing and learning the adverse physical effects caused to the local people by the 7-decade old fluoride problem, told them that Sri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would take steps to bring Krishna water to the remaining 525 fluoride villages left over by Dr. YSR.
Local leaders complained that many a leader used to come and go but did nothing to solve the problem and better the people’s lives, except for Dr. YSR who brought Krishna water to some of the affected villages.
“Dr YSR brought Krishna water to 450 of the 975 fluoride affected villages by spending Rs.375 Cr but still you have to get Krishna water to another 525 villages where almost a fluoride victim is present in each house on an average,” she told the local leaders, assuring them that Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy would complete the task left midway by Dr YSR.
Witnessing the horrific spectacle of men and women with twisted hands and legs and mentally challenged youth before her and listening to the stories of teens stopping their studies and attempts being made to commit suicides due to the fluoride problem, Sharmila couldn’t control her emotions.
“I know about the problem and its adverse effects through newspapers and TV channels. But, I didn't know the problem is this much severe,” she told the people at Sarampeta Rachchabanda, with tears trickling down from her eyes.