Braving hot sun, special kids wait for Karnataka CM for 2 hours

BELAGAVI: Many specially abled children were made to wait for over two hours under scorching sun for chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was to inaugurate a recreation centre for them.
Many parents of such kids were seen controlling them at the newly built play area, even as officials called the CM’s aides to get him to the venue at the earliest. Under Smart City project, Savitri Bai Phule Garden has been built inside a garden.
Swaroopa, mother of a differently abled kid Kaushal, told TOI the event was scheduled for 10am, for which they had come at 9.30am itself.“It was difficult to manage my son as he is hyperactive. The CM should have understood whom he is addressing. Despite Covid threat, many kids waited for him,” she said.
Kavita Chauhan, who had come with two children, said the CM should have prioritised the inauguration of the facility given it is for specially abled children. “I have lost hope with politicians as far as punctuality is concerned,” Kavita rued.
An official involved in the project told TOI that the facility would benefit 2,200 specially abled children in the city. The CM could have visited this facility at the earliest, he said.
The new garden with various facilities for specially abled kids has been built at a cost of over Rs 1 crore. After its inauguration, One of the kids, who is suffering from dementia, was seen pedalling a cycle. The play area has soft floor to act as cushion in case kids bang their heads on the ground. They can enjoy swinging, cycling and other games indoors and in a secure environment.