Kanpur: What began as a 90-km walk of desperation from Kanpur to Lucknow has transformed into a story of hope, resilience and rehabilitation. Nearly a year after 19-year-old differently-abled Khushi Gupta walked to meet chief minister Yogi Adityanath seeking treatment and support, her family received another lifeline on Friday as the Uttar Pradesh govt provided them with a free e-rickshaw to secure a sustainable livelihood.At the Collectorate, DM Jitendra Pratap Singh handed over the keys of the new e-rickshaw to Khushi’s father, Kallu. The vehicle has been provided free of cost under the CSR initiative of NRJ Electric Motor Vehicle Pvt. Ltd. and registered in the name of Khushi’s mother, Geeta, to ensure long-term financial security for the family.Khushi had captured public attention after walking from Kanpur to Lucknow to seek help for her hearing and speech impairment. Acting on the CM’s directions, she underwent a successful cochlear implant surgery in Feb 2026. With regular therapy, she has begun to hear and speak and is now studying in Class IX at a special residential school in Lucknow.The latest assistance comes at a crucial time, as the family’s financial condition had worsened after Khushi’s father, who earned his livelihood by driving a rented e-rickshaw, suffered a leg injury in a road accident, leaving the family without a steady source of income.Officials said the govt’s effort was aimed not merely at providing financial aid but at ensuring the family’s long-term rehabilitation through healthcare, education and sustainable livelihood.An emotional atmosphere prevailed at the Collectorate as the vehicle was handed over. Wearing a confident smile, Khushi thanked the CM and district officials, saying simply, “Thank you, Yogi-ji.”
