Indian political leaders and bureaucrat

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Appeal for Feranandes's care mounted

pioneer.com

Pioneer news service | New Delhi



A galaxy of prominent personalities including politicians, legal luminaries, diplomats, industrialists, social activists, writers and artists have expressed outrage at the manner former defense minister George Feranandes was being “moved from place to place” by people not familiar with his ailment and its history, and called for setting up a panel of well-wishers and doctors to provide him a stable a atmosphere.



Feranandes has been kept in virtual isolation by his estranged wife Leila Kabir ever since she returned from the US three months ago. Even his four brothers have already alleged they have not been allowed access to Fernandes by his immediate family -- wife Leila Kabir and his son Sean. They also called for disbursement of Fernandes' asset among the poor and needy through a trust, a move opposed by Leila and her son.



Fernandes is at present living with Leila and Sean at a Panchsheel Park residence.



"We understand he (Fernandes) is being moved from place to place and decisions on his well being are being suddenly and arbitrarily being taken by people who are not familiar with the treatment of his ailments. This is bound to have a severe adverse impact on his

mind and body," the statement issued on Tuesday said.



The appeal has been issued by Former Union Minister and Ambassador Ajay Singh on behalf of distinguished persons that include Former Chief Justice Supreme Court of India Justice MN Venkatachaliah, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy and former Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah, former Finance Minister and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh, Former Governor West Bengal Viren J Shah, former Member of Parliament Kamal Morarka, Kannada writer UR Ananthamurthy, Film producer RV Pandit, Chairman Bajaj Group and Member of Parliament Rahul Bajaj, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank Uday Kotak, Vice Chairman Essar Group Ravi Ruia, Editor and Publisher of The Pioneer and former Member of Parliament Chandan Mitra, Member of the House of Commons Lord Meghnad Desai, Writer Kishwar Desai, Social activist, Scientist, and Writer Vandana Shiva, and Former President CII Rajesh V Shah, Eminent dancer, writer Leela Samson, Educationist , former Member of Parliament Dr Beatrix D'Souza, Eminent dancer Dr onal Mansingh.



"We, the long time friends of Fernandes, are deeply distressed at the events of the last few weeks, which diminish the image of a great man, who due to a debilitating illness is unable to defend himself or express himself publicly," it added.



Pointing out that all unseemly speculation and discussion being carried out in public view about his assets and relationships undermine the values that George stood for, the 20 signatories have said it was their duty as his friends and admirers to ensure him his dignity and to demand respect for what he had done and the choices he made over so many years.



They also appealed for setting up a panel of suitable people consisting of his familiar doctors at AIIMS and his long time colleagues and care givers through a legal process to ensure a “stable atmosphere” for him to feel comfortable and at ease.



George’s friends have recalled him as one of the most influential of political leaders of the last four decades whose entire life had been dedicated to fight tyranny, oppression, corruption, and for the upliftment of deprived sections of our society. “His battles for equality, democracy, a free media, human rights and against all forms of injustice are well-known,” the statement said.

Very sad.