After a report in The Indian Express highlighted his ill health and poor financial condition last month, the Madhya Pradesh Government has announced a help of Rs 1 lakh. Besides, several individuals and organisations from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and even abroad have offered aid.

There has been, however, no response from the Uttar Pradesh Government and Centre.

Octogenarian Amar Kant said his son had got a call from the Madhya Pradesh Government regarding the financial help proposed by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Delhi-based literary organisation Bharatiya Jnanpeeth has already sent Rs 25,000 to him and he has received Rs 21,000 from Nirupama Ashok, the principal of Bhagvandeen Aryakanya Post Graduate College, Lakhimpur Kheri. The Jan Sanskritik Manch has offered Rs 50,000. A few individuals in the US and Japan have also checked on the writer’s condition and assured him of help.

“I got calls and assurances from well wishers across the world, but the country (Centre) and the state, which used to call me the national pride, has not even sent a word of concern,” said Amar Kant, who had also participated in India’s freedom struggle before he wielded the pen and won many awards for his writings. He never claimed the pension given to freedom fighters of the country. Many believe it is because he refused to compromise with the system that kept him waiting for 30 years for the Sahitya Akademi Award.

An ailing and penniless Amar Kant was planning to sell his awards and mementos for buying food and medicines. His books are taught in several universities and schools in Russia, Japan and India. He is a recipient of the Soviet Land Nehru Award.

Uttar Pradesh had honoured Amar Kant for his invaluable contributions to Hindi literature and conferred Mahatma Gandhi award, Sahitya Bhusan Award and Sahitya Academy Award on him.

Talking to The Indian Express, Bharatiya Jnanpeeth director and famous writer Ravindra Kalia said he found it surprising that the UP Government was neglecting Amar Kant while the MP Government had offered help.

His contemporary, Doodhnath, and noted lawyer Ravi Kiran Jain said they hoped the governments at the state and Centre would also come forward with help for the ailing writer, given the fact that he requires expensive medical treatment.