Minister for Women and Child Development Laxmi Hebbalkar was on Sunday discharged after 13 days of hospital stay following a road accident in Belagavi.
She thanked the team of doctors that treated her and her supporters who prayed for her recovery.
She described the experience as a rebirth and vowed to work for her constituency and to effectively discharge her duties as a Minister.
She said that she was already participating in budget discussions through video conferencing.
“The team of doctors led by Ravi Patil has advised me to take rest for three weeks. I will try to follow their advice. However, I have to attend to my duties as a Minister. I have to prepare for the annual budget, that is likely in March. I will return to public life as soon as possible,” she said.
She said that the doctors and staff treated her like a family member. “They stood by me during difficult times and showed support and care. Their kindness, patience and dedication ensured that I did not lose courage,” the Minister said.
She also thanked her son Mrinal Hebbalkar and her daughter-in-law Hita Mrinal, who is a doctor, brother Channaraj Hattiholi, who is an MLC, and other family members.
She thanked her supporters who prayed for her recovery, the leaders of various parties who visited her in hospital, heads of religious institutions and others.
She refused to respond to the charge made by Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi and other BJP members that there were bags of cash in her vehicle.
“Some BJP leaders have made false and meaningless allegations against me. There cannot be any answer to such allegations. Those who made the allegations must be deranged and heartless,” she said.
She said that driving at night to reach Belagavi without an escort vehicle was a sudden decision.
“We decided to drive at night from Bengaluru only to celebrate Sankranti with my family members. I was supposed to take a holy dip in the Malaprabha river by 7 a.m. on Sakranti day along with family members. After that, we were supposed to go to our native village of Hattiholi. That is why I left Bengaluru at 10.30 p.m. on January 13. I could not arrange for an escort as it was a sudden decision,” she said.
She said that the issue of some microfinance institutions harassing rural women came to her notice six months ago and that she had asked the Police Commissioner to act on such complaints. “I learnt of such cases in Yamakanamaradi and surrounding areas. I have asked officers from my department to work with the police and curb the menace,” she said.
Published – January 26, 2025 08:28 pm IST
