Author Dominique Lapierre's dream project for Sunderbans faces closure as funds dry up

The dream that internationally acclaimed novelist Dominique Lapierre had nurtured for the people of the Sunderbans is now on the verge of collapse.

- RAJIB CHAKRABORT

For decades, City of Joy Foundation, Lapierre's foundation, working through SHIS (Southern Health Improvement Samity), provided essential health services to nearly 14-15 lakh people across 54 remote, river-locked islands of the mangrove delta. But from 1 December, these services are set to shut down as both the Central and State governments have reportedly stopped funds flowing for several projects.

According to SHIS director M.A. Wahab, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stopped the flow of funds to SHIS through the Dominique Lapierre "City of Joy Foundation" last year without citing specific reasons. The foundation had long partnered with SHIS to run mobile boat hospitals and island-based clinics that delivered maternal and child health care, eye care, disability support, and treatment for critical illnesses - including neuro, cardiac and orthopaedic conditions, arsenic free drinking water services.