Parvathi Ammal says no to medical treatment in State

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai, on June 13, 2010:

CHENNAI: A day after the Indian government relaxed its conditions imposed on slain LTTE leader V Prabakaran’s mother Parvathi Ammal to receive her treatment in Tamil Nadu, her counsel and former Jaffna MP K Shivajilingam on Saturday categorically said that she is in no mood to consider it owing to personal problems.

Speaking to Express over phone from Jaffna, the former MP and a close relative of Parvathi Ammal, said, “Due to her tedious journey on stretcher and bitter experience of deportation from Chennai airport in mid-April this year, Parvathi Ammal is very much unlikely to consider the latest offer by the Indian government to get treated in Tamil Nadu by staying at her daughter’s house.” Her faith in the country’s hospitality towards an elderly woman who mostly remain on a stretcher for a whole day dashed after the Indian government imposed rigid conditions to get treatment for her illness, and this has wounded her mind very badly, Shivajilingam said.

On April 16, when the ailing Parvathi Ammal (along with a maid) landed at Chennai airport with a valid Indian visa, she was immediately deported without being allowed out of the aircraft by which she reached here from Kuala Lumpur. Since her airport-deportation has become a big issue in the state, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced that if she contacts the state government in a proper manner, he would take up her case. After the state’s announcement to allow Parvathi Ammal for treatment, she, from Kuala Lumpur hospital sent a mail addressing MK urging the Chief Minister to make arrangements for her travel from Kuala Lumpur to Tiruchy, as Dr Rajendran of Musiri has made arrangements for her treatment in Tiruchy.

Based on her plea, MK took up her case and finally by May 10, Indian government (in a letter dated May 7) gave its nod to allow Parvathi Ammal to Tamil Nadu to receive her treatment but with severe conditions.

But to a surprise to everyone in the state, Parvathi Ammal along with MP Shivajilingam on May 11 landed in Colombo from Kuala Lumpur. Since then, she has been receiving treatment for her illness in a hospital located at Valvettithurai (VVT), her native place in Island nation.
On her health status, Shivajilingam said, “Though she is not fully recuperated, Parvathi Ammal started recognising people and her daughter from Canada regularly contacts her for health updates.”