Bhubaneswar Marathon boy Budhia Singh, all of three-and-a-half years, is in the limelight, but this time not for his running.
The child, who became a celebrity in Orissa for his non-stop 60-km run from Puri to Bhubaneswar, is in the thick of controversy with questions arising on whether he should continue the long marathon at this young age.
Taking note of the FIR filed against Budhia?s coach by the Orissa State Council for Child Welfare (OSCCW), the Orissa government has imposed restrictions on his participation in long distance races in the state and elsewhere.
OSCCW claimed marathon runs could have an adverse impact on Budhia?s health especially since he was being made to run 20-60 km every alternate day.
All district collectors from the Child Welfare Department have been directed to ensure that the child should not be allowed to participate in more than 10-km marathons.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by State Women and Child Development Minister Pramilla Mallick, in Orissa on Thursday.
A panel of experts, comprising paediatric, cardiology and orthopaedic specialists, will be constituted by the Khurda District Child Welfare Committee to conduct a detailed health examination of Budhia to determine the limit of his run every day.
The state government is paying Budhia Rs 500 per month as stipend and has offered to admit him in an SOS village.
However Budhia's mother, who had sold the kid for Rs 800 a year back, has refused to give her celebrity child to any body except the coach who is also his mentor.
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