GUWAHATI, July 30 - Artist Panna Burman, who has made over 20,000 portraits, including those of legends like Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Amitabh Bachchan, Navakanta Barua, former Chief Ministers of the State Hiteswar Saikia, Prafulla Mahanta and Tarun Gogoi, is suffering from a rare eye disease that blurs the vision, which has rendered him helpless and put him in a serious financial crisis.
Called serpiginous choroiditis, the disease is characterised by irregularly shaped lesions, involving two layers of the eye surface. Burman, 45, stated that the doctors treating him are of the belief that his disease could be cured.
Talking to this newspaper, Burman said he has not been able to make portraits for a long time and has been financially in dire straits in continuing with his treatment at Chennai Sankara Nethralaya. The State government has indeed extended some support to him and several well-wishers, friends and fans have also come to his aid. With their support, he could undergo treatment at Chennai to some extent, but now, he has no money to continue with his treatment any further. The individuals who extended help to him include Dr Harsha Bhatta, Dr Anjanjyoti Choudhury, Dr Indrajit Kalita, Zubeen Garg, among others. Chief Minister�s Media Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami also lent support to him in obtaining the government assistance, Burman said.
He has appealed to all generous people to extend support to him in carrying on his treatment. Those who are interested to help him may deposit whatever amount they want to, in his savings account 20412 547661 (IFSC SBIN0005162) of the SBI Hatigaon branch, said Burman.
