Aahana bids goodbye to city with a mighty heart

Murdered Reliance employee's spastic daughter and grandmother will leave for Kolkata on Thursday to be with relatives

Aahana bids goodbye to city with a mighty heart

Murdered Reliance employee's spastic daughter and grandmother will leave for Kolkata on Thursday to be with relatives

Poornima Goswami (70) is indebted to Mumbai. Devastated by the brutal killing of her daughter Anindita

Goswami (34) on October 16, 2008, and burdened with the responsibility of looking after her spastic granddaughter Aahana Misra (6), it was this city that rose to the occasion and supported her with care and money. So far, Poornima has received Rs 9 lakh from ordinary citizens and political parties.

On Sunday night, singer Sonu Nigam, wife Madhurima and son Neevan spent an hour with Aahana at Jaslok Hospital. Poornima says the singer provided financial assistance to them, but Sonu could not be reached on his phone for a confirmation. Sources close to the singer said he did not want to comment as it was a 'very personal cause'.

Poornima has specially thanked Sonu, numerologist Sanjay Jumani, and the doctors who supported Aahana in her most difficult times. Like, Niyamat Jabbar, a garment trader from Vashi, who offered shelter to Poornima and Aahana at his apartment before they leave for Kolkata.

Aahana was discharged from Jaslok hospital yesterday. Dr Anita Udwadia Hegde, paediatric neurologist at Jaslok, said, "Aahana is a lot better. She has put on weight, interacts with people and even smiles sometimes. We have conducted gastrostomy, so that she can eat. A special wheelchair has been provided to Aahana."

The Case
On October 16 last year, around 8 pm, Anindita Misra (34) was returning home from her office when she was stabbed repeatedly by her jilted lover Jacob Simon Pinto (32).
The Turbhe police arrested him on October 24 from Vashi railway station. He later confessed to the murder. The police also recovered the weapon used for the murder.

Funds for Aahana
Donations for Aahana remain untouched at the State Bank of India account operated by Poornima. Out of the Rs 15 lakh in fixed deposits in Aahana's name, Rs 9 lakh are from Anindita's accidental insurance and other claims, Rs 2 lakh from the sale of Poornima's ancestral property and the remaining amount came various donors. The Rs 5 lakh that was provided by some political leaders is being used by Poornima to treat Aahana.

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