Tamil Nadu govt gifts home to girl who overcame facial deformity

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin brought joy to two families in Tiruvallur district on Saturday. A young girl, who overcame a facial deformity, was gifted a house while a disabled woman received an automated wheelchair at an event held at the secretariat.

A few years ago, Tanya, 9, a resident of Tiruvallur district, reached out to the chief minister through social media to inform him about her condition -- a rare facial deformity. "Her father, Stephen, is a tailor. No one spoke to her in school or the neighbourhood. She was stigmatised by relatives and friends. The family was not able to get a house for rent too," said minister S M Nasar.

On August 16, 2022, Stalin came to know about this. "The next day, we arranged for treatment in a private hospital. A 15-member team was formed, and each doctor took care of different issues. The last surgery was conducted in May last year. One more surgery is pending," said the minister.

The CM visited her many times. "We got her school admission, and now we came to know that her family was struggling without getting a home for rent. We got her a home on a 3-cent plot in Pakkam village. We constructed a house under the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board’s housing scheme," he added.

On Saturday, Tanya’s parents, Stephen and Soubagya, received the keys to their new home from the chief minister. "We got a roof over our heads," said Soubagya.

During the same ceremony, a 38-year-old Anusuya, of Pannavadu Thottam village received an advanced wheelchair. "She has earned three degrees and works as a part-time faculty member. She wrote to the CM cell explaining her difficulties. We got her an automated wheelchair which can help her stand too. We will get her a job," said Nassar.

Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, minister Nasar and chief secretary N Muruganandam were present on the occasion.