Blind for 18 years, Assam boy gains sight with specs gifted by BJP MLA Manab Deka

18-year-old Amrit Pratim Bailung from Naoboicha has finally seen the face of his mother clearly for the first time, thanks to the generous assistance of BJP MLA Manab Deka and a pair of spectacles that came all the way from America.

For nearly two decades, Amrit struggled with severe vision impairment due to a retinal condition, leaving his world a hazy blur. “Until now, I used to see everything as blurry. Everything on earth was unclear,” he said. His mother, adorned in a traditional sador mekhela, beamed with joy as she described the moment her son put on the new spectacles. “When he first put them on, he laughed and said, ‘I can see clearly now, Maa and Papa. I can see everyone!’”

Their journey to restoration began with numerous attempts to seek medical help, spanning from local clinics to hospitals in Nepal, where doctors informed them that the condition was insurmountable. “They told us it couldn’t be resolved,” Amrit said. Despite his family's persistence in reaching out for assistance, they faced repeated setbacks, and the hefty price of Rs 2.5 lakh for the spectacles was beyond their means.

It was at this point that they turned to MLA Manab Deka for help. “We approached many people, but nobody helped us,” Amrit's father shared, noting their desperation. “When we explained our issue to Manab Deka, he listened attentively, reviewed the medical report, and assured us that he would help.”

Deka, recognizing the urgency of the situation, took action to secure the spectacles for Amrit. His intervention not only provided the necessary financial support but also restored a mother’s joy and a young boy’s hope. “We have no words to express our gratitude to MLA Manab Deka. We feel as if God has helped us,” Amrit's mother said, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.

Speaking to India Today NE, Manab Deka said, referring to Amrit, "Shine along the colorful path of light on this new journey. Our best wishes are always with you."

The impact of Deka’s assistance extends beyond the gift of sight; it has rekindled the family’s dreams. Amrit is now eager to pursue his education, using an LCD magnifier that allows him to read books more comfortably. “I want to dedicate a song to Manab Sir,” he said full of admiration for the MLA who transformed his life.

Manab Deka’s commitment to helping the community arises from a legacy of compassion instilled by his father, the late Govind Deka, who was a beloved teacher in the region. “Manab Deka has inherited his father’s qualities,” said Amrit’s father.

For Amrit and his family, the future now looks bright, filled with the promise of clarity, gratitude, and new opportunities. “We wish that people like him always stay with us and continue to help poor people like us,” his mother said.