Stampede victim Kamlesh and her grandmother were given a hospital bed before Rahul Gandhi's visit
15-year-old Kamlesh and her grandmother, both victims of Sunday's stampede at the Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh, had been lying on the floor of the Datia district hospital till this morning. They finally got a bed, thanks to a VIP visitor, Rahul Gandhi.
Ahead of the Congress vice president's visit this afternoon to meet the stampede victims, the hospital went through an express makeover and made sure patients had proper beds. 41 victims of the stampede, which left 111 people dead, are being treated at the hospital.
Kamlesh and her 85-year-old grandmother from Jhanda village were among the patients who had been taking up whatever space they could on the floor, having been told that there were no beds. They are now sharing a bed.
Fresh sheets and blankets were provided in the wards for the stampede victims. "Since morning, the workers have been busy tidying up the casualty ward. They want to make a good impression," said a hospital employee.
A senior police officer and the district collector are also reported to have made several rounds at the hospital where special security is in place for Mr Gandhi's visit.
The Congress leader will also address public rallies in Shahdol and Gwalior today to campaign for the assembly polls in November.
47 women and 33 children were killed in Sunday's horrific stampede at the Durga temple of Ratangarh, a forested area of Datia, 390 km from Bhopal. The stampede on the last day of the Navratras was allegedly triggered by a rumour that a bridge had collapsed.