MARGAO
Their joy knew no bounds as the Konkan railway train chugged at the Margao railway station on Thursday.
In fact, as the 29 cancer affected children undergoing treatment at the Tata Memorial hospital, Mumbai along with their parents disembarked from a three-tier coach, they seemed all anxious and eager to visit Goa’s beach belt, besides the famous churches and temples during their stay in the state.
Every year, the Tata Memorial Hospital in coordination with the Konkan Railway Corporation and the Goa Tourism department organize a visit to Goa for the cancer affected children undergoing treatment at the Mumbai-based hospital.
Some of these children have been undergoing treatment at the hospital for the last six months, undergoing chemotherapy, radiation etc and the visit to Goa is organized for the children just for a change and to return back for the next level of treatment.
Santosh Shirwade, Tata Memorial Hospital told The Goan at the Margao railway station that around 29 cancer affected children are visiting Goa this time along with their parents. “They will visit the famous temples and churches of Goa, besides the beaches. They will be taken to a mall and go for cruising as well before they embark on the journey to Mumbai on Saturday”, he said.
Saying the annual trip is being supported by the Konkan railway and the Goa Tourism department, Santosh said the visit helps the children to move out of the hospital environment to a place known the world over as a tourist destination.
KRC senior officer Baban Ghatge said the KR has attached a three-tier coach to the train to ferry the children to Goa. While the KR takes care of the in house catering of the children during the journey, he said the Goa Tourism department sponsors the visit of the children during their stay in the state.
