PMO, police chip in to help traffic volunteer Dorris
After losing her daughter in an accident, Dorris Francis, 57, helped the police manage traffic in Ghaziabad for nearly seven years, until cancer forced her out of self-employment.
Dorris had been voluntarily managing traffic at KhodaIndirapuram cut on NH-24 since 2009, the year her 20-year-old daughter Nikki died in an accident at the same crossing.
Undergoing treatment at Max Hospital at Vaishali, Dorris is finding monetary support from the Prime Minister to the police department. Officials from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police departments visited her on Saturday to provided financial aid to her for treatment.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also approved Rs 3 lakh aid for Dorris on Friday.
A day later, officials from East Delhi police, led by the deputy commissioner of police, visited her at the hospital and handed over a cheque of Rs 2.45 lakh.
Led by SSP, Ghaziabad, Deepak Kumar, officials visited her to offer financial contribution made by the Ghaziabad and traffic police.
“District police officers of all ranks have offered to donate a day’s salary to Dorris,” he said.
“Her efforts helped streamline traffic to a great extent. She has been diagnosed with cancer and the Ghaziabad policemen have contributed a day’s salary,” said Rahul Srivastava, an official at the DGP office in Lucknow.
“She is as good as a part of our police family. She had been managing traffic at the intersection for long. So, our officers decided to help her out in time of need,” said DCP (east) Rishi Pal.
Earlier in October when Dorris’ health deteriorated, her daughter Dolly had sold her motorcycle for Rs 20,000 to a local mechanic and arranged money for her treatment.
However, help came from Indirapuram residents after which she got back her motorcycle.
“I loved my motorcycle but had to sell it. I am thankful to the residents who helped me get it back. I was lucky that the mechanic had not sold the motorcycle further. He knew that my mother had some health issues and I needed money. He had kept the bike with him and paid me Rs 20,000,” Dolly said.
Since Dorris’ plight came to light, HT published a series of reports which attracted Good Samaritans, including Ghaziabad residents. Along with the grant, PM Narendra Modi has also written a letter to the patient.