'Just one favour'; Gold medal winner Akshaya waiting for minister's response

KOZHIKODE: Like the previous year, Akshaya arrived at the track in the state school sports meet from the one-room thatched hut situated on the plot owned by her relative. The previous year, Akshaya had her eyes on gold after being inspired by the former education minister's announcement of a home for the homeless for gold winners. However, an unexpected injury proved villain and Akshaya had to settle with silver. The wait was gruelling, but it ended sweetly as Akshaya grabbed gold this time in the 3000 meters race. The dream of a home remains, while she is in high hopes of receiving a favourable response from the minister.

The competition in the senior girls' category was held on the synthetic track at the NIT campus on Tuesday. G. Akshaya, a plus two student of RPM HSS, Panangattiri, Palakkad, competed with spikes borrowed from a friend.

Akshaya belongs to a family of five with parents and two siblings. Her sister Archana was born with a heart disease. Brother Akhil is asthmatic. Mother Soumya is no longer able to work after falling ill. The meagre income of her father, Guruvayoorappan, a labourer, is the sole source of support.

Archana's treatment is at Srichitra, Thiruvananthapuram, and the family is struggling to meet the high financial demands. There is no space in their hut to keep the medals and trophies Akshaya brought home after excelling in athletics. Biju Vasudev, the sports teacher of Panangattiri School, took the initiative and tried to prepare a house for Akshaya, but the unavailability of land proved a hindrance.