BHOPAL: Shreyansh Waghmare (13), who is suffering from Progeria, was made chairperson of Madhya Pradesh Commission for Protection of Child Rights for a day during state-level workshop organised at Samanvay Bhawan on Friday. Shreyansh who hails from Jabalpur, had expressed his wish to visit Bhopal and hence a trip was arranged by the Commission.
Progeria is a progressive genetic disorder which causes a child to age rapidly. “Shreyansh had expressed desire to visit Bhopal. So we decided to make him the Commission chairman for a day to make him happy,” MPSCPCR chairman Dr Raghvendra Sharma.
His father Arvind Waghmare said his son was very happy. “We have taken him to a hospital in Nagpur where doctors told him that this disease is incurable. Such kids live less, and therefore, it is always better to keep them as happy as possible,” Waghmare said. He further said Shreyansh’s twin brother Siddhanth is absolutely normal and they both study in class V. “Shreyansh is a normal kid in school but gets irritated occasionally when someone tries to pull his cap. He goes to school daily and takes interest in studies,” he said.
Progeria was highlighted by director R Balki in his film “Paa” where Amitabh Bachchan had essayed the role of a child with Progeria.
During his daylong tenure, Shreyansh conducted Commission’s review meeting and issued important directives to the government, including action against policemen who deliberately delay action against accused involved in sexual offences against children. If police delay action against persons involved in sexual offences against children, then punitive measures should be taken against concerned policemen under the provisions of Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), says the directive issued by Shreyansh. He also appealed to the government to provide free of cost treatment to those affected with Progeria and suggested that other children who face similar incurable disease should also get a chance to get appreciation and acknowledgement just like him.
Shreyansh wants to meet Big B
During the press conference, ‘Chairperson’ Shreyansh expressed his wish to meet Amitabh Bachchan and also sang a song ‘Bachhe mann k sachhe’. Raghvendra Sharma said children like Shreyansh were not suffering from any disease but the disease was fighting their spirit and courage. Shreyansh also said he was fortunate to have got the opportunity and hoped that other children too got the chance like him. He also ordered investigation on the plea of a girl, who came to him appealing for justice. Nivedtia Pandey, a Class 10 student came with an application appealing to the chairperson to order police to file FIR against AIG, Rural Area, who had been troubling her and her family. The chairperson ordered investigation into the matter.
