HARIPAD: The parents of Dr Vandana Das are preparing to fulfil their daughter’s biggest wish which she had often talked to them about. Vandana always shared with her parents her dream of setting up a clinic in Thrikkunnapuzha, a village with lake lagoons, mostly occupied by fishermen folks and ordinary people. She had also vowed to come here twice a week to provide free treatment to the villagers.

On May 10, 2023, Vandana, a house surgeon at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital was stabbed to death by accused Sandeep while the latter was brought for a medical examination. Still shattered by the loss of their only daughter, Parents K. G. Mohandas and T. Vasantakumari are preparing to start 'Dr Vandana Das Memorial Clinic' at Thrikkunnapuzha to fulfil their daughter's dream.

The clinic is being built on the land that Vasantakumari received as a family share at Thrikkunnapuzha. The construction is almost 70 per cent complete and the inauguration will happen in March 2025. People from financially struggling families will be given free treatment.

The money saved for Vandana’s marriage has been put to use for the construction. The family also plan to turn this into a dispensary in future times. The family is adamant about keeping high-quality facilities in the clinic which goes by their daughter’s name.

The family used to come together to Thirkkunnapuzha whenever Vandana got leave from her work. A small outhouse was prepared for them to stay on arrival. Vandana would enjoy the leisure time fishing on the sides of the outhouse. Vasantakumari remembers how Vandana used to gloat about the fresh air in Thirkkunnapuzha. Even six months before her death, Vandana held serious talks with her parents about starting the clinic. And now, the outhouse has been renovated to be made into a clinic.