Public TV’s ‘Belaku’ impact: Hungund MLA helps elderly woman gets new roof over her head

BAGALKOT: An elderly woman, who had lost all her hopes of having a roof over her head, has now got a new life after her story was telecasted on Public TV’s ‘Belaku’ programme. Hungund MLA Doddanagouda G Patil came to her aid and provided her a pucca house while Public TV gifted her a fruit cart so that she can lead an independent life.

Shahnaz Begum (65), a resident of Hungund, has no other relatives. She had been living alone in a broken shed near the Taluk ground, but the shed collapsed last year due to heavy rain and she could not even earn for her livelihood. Public TV took up the real story of woman in September last year and narrated her deplorable living condition. Public TV also contacted the Hungund MLA if he could help her out. He immediately responded and agreed to build a new house for her.

The MLA got a new house built from his local area development fund at a cost Rs 1. 58 lakh in Om Shanti Nagar. He handed over the keys to the house to Shahnaz Begum on Monday and also gifted her a fruit cart, costing Rs 25,000 on the occasion.

Hungund MLA Doddanagouda Patel handed over the keys of the house to the elderly woman on Monday.

Hungund MLA Doddanagouda Patil appreciated the ‘Belaku’ programme saying that it came as a ray of hope in the woman’s life and added, “I wish this programme runs continuously and be a voice for helpless people. Social workers and youths should come forward to recognise such issues and help uplift deprived people in society”.

Shahnaz Begam (65), a resident of Hungund city, and beneficiary of the ‘Belaku’ programme.

Shahanaz Begam thanked Public TV for arranging a roof over her head and said, “The MLA built a new house for me and I would pray to God to bless all. I am happy with my new house. I am very thankful to all those who supported me”.