Orissa Govt. to bear Kalpana Das' Medical Expenses, announces Rs. 5 lakh Cash Reward

The Orissa government finally swung into action after the NCP came forward to bear the medical expenses of Mt. Everest winner Kalpana Das, who has been seriously ill and was getting below par treatment at the SCB Medical College, Cuttack. The Orissa government yesterday made necessary arrangements to shift Kalpana Das to Kalinga Hospital, Bhubaneswar and announced that it would bear her all medical expenses.

The state government has also announced a cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh for Kalpana, which will be given to her in a grand felicitation ceremony when she recovers completely from her illness. If necessary, Kalpana will be shifted to AIIMS in New Delhi. Kalpana Das, who became the first mountaineer from the state to scale Mt. Everest, fell ill on her way back to base camp and developed joint pain, itching, respiratory problems and pre-paralytic symptoms.