Chief Minister’s Relief Fund Brings New Hope to Yash Bedge

Aug 2025 : His mother is hearing-impaired… his father too is hearing-impaired… their story resembles the film Koshish. Amidst this, little Yash, just three and a half years old, was also born hearing-impaired, which became a matter of deep concern for his parents and grandmother. But though born without hearing, Yash will not live his life in silence. Thanks to a cochlear implant surgery carried out under the National Child Health Program and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Yash Vijay Bedge has now begun to hear. The joy of his parents and grandmother knows no bounds.

This is the story of the Bedge family from Manerajuri village in Tasgaon taluka. Yash lives with his parents, sister, and grandmother. Yash’s grandmother raised his father through years of hardship. Though hearing-impaired, she ensured he completed his education up to Class 10 in a special school. Later, he was married to a hearing-impaired woman. Their first child, a daughter, was born healthy, able to hear and speak. The family breathed a sigh of relief. However, when Yash was born and diagnosed as hearing-impaired, the family was devastated. Their despair was soon replaced by hope when officials of the National Child Health Program informed them about the option of a cochlear implant.

But the cost—over seven lakh rupees—posed a huge financial challenge. Through the combined support of the National Child Health Program and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Yash successfully underwent cochlear implant surgery two months ago. Financial aid of more than seven lakh rupees was provided through these schemes. Today, Yash attends a regular school with other children.

Speaking about this, Yash’s grandmother Asharani Kumar Bedge said:
“When my grandson started going to the Anganwadi, we realized he could not speak. The doctor there advised surgery. Special educator Varsharani Jadhav from Tasgaon Panchayat Samiti guided us throughout, and MLA Rohit Patil also recommended the case. Because of their help and the support from health schemes, Yash underwent a successful surgery. Today he can hear and even speak. He is studying in a regular school, and we can see his progress. We are grateful to all the departments and to the Hon’ble Chief Minister for their support.”

In essence:
“No applause is earned without effort… Those who keep trying never lose.”

The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund Cell provides financial assistance to economically weak and underprivileged sections of society for the treatment of critical illnesses. Through this support, a ray of hope has entered the lives of many families, just as it has transformed the life of little Yash Bedge.