The twain was never supposed to meet. But a humanitarian cause has brought none other than archrivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan together. The two football clubs of Bengal have come together to raise money for a Mohun Bagan club fan, who was injured on the way to watch a match of his favourite team. Pratanu Pakhira (21), the Mohun Bagan supporter, was injured last Thursday.
The Bagan fan was travelling by train from Sealdah to Kalyani when he was hit by a lamp post along the railway track. Pratanu was reportedly hit on his forehead and he suffered a deep injury on the head. The severity of the blow also broke his neck and an eye was badly injured.
The resident of Kolkata’s Scott Lane was rushed to Calcutta Medical College Hospital, but due to scarcity of beds there, he had to be taken to a private hospital on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. Pratanu is now on life support.
Pratanu’s father is a poor fish seller and is thus unable to bear the expenses of his son’s treatment.
But help has come from supporters and authorities of both clubs. Both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have joined hands to raise funds for Pratanu. Social media has been buzzing with pleas for raising funds for his medical expenses.
The amount billed for his treatment has already reached Rs 5 lakh, of which Rs 1 lakh was raised till Saturday night. East Bengal club manager Debraj Chaudhury has donated another Rs 1 lakh. Former footballer Mehtab Hossain has also extended help. Lawmaker and ex-footballer Dipendu Biswas has also promised a sum of Rs.50,000. Supporters from both the clubs have been donating money and looking for various sources for the young man’s treatment.
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