Aussie victim Sravan now able to respond, says uncle

I / Melbourne June 10, 2009, 14:20 IST

Sravan Kumar, whose comatose picture sent shock waves across India, has taken his first step and is now able to respond ever since the violent attack on him in Australia that almost took his life.

"Today, he took his first step and walked till his bathroom," Sravan's visiting uncle Srinivas Theerthala, who is currently his local guardian, told PTI.

Theerthala said though Sravan's condition was stable and he is now able to respond and walk a little bit, but so far there was no hope of a complete recovery for him.

Even though he has survived, the attack will leave Sravan slightly disabled on audio visual aspect, he said.

Theerthala said doctors were now looking forward to move Sravan to a rehabilitation centre for further recovery.

"Once Sravan is clinically stable, doctors have advised me to shift him to rehab clinic," he said, adding that though for shifting him there was the vital issue of finances.

Theerthala said Sravan recognised him and responded also. However, he was still confused, disoriented and had a bit of memory loss.

"The hospital has sent a bill of $5000 at Sravan's address," he said.

"I don't know how to deal with the financial issue that will be involved if he moves to rehab clinic," he said, adding that he was closely working with Indian community and authorities for some financial aid for Sravan's treatment.

Sravan, a student from Andhra Pradesh, was attacked by a group of teenagers with a screwdriver. He was brought to a hospital in Melbourne after being stabbed that also left three of his friends injured.

A 17-year-old from Glenroy has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack on Sravan his friends.

Asked whether attack on Sravan was racially motivated, his uncle said, "It is too early to say that. But, even if we agree that the attack on Sravan was not racist it was still an attack."

"Australian government should now start working and should be proactive in their job in preventing any such future crimes," he said.

Theerthala said no more students should end up like Sravan.

"It is clear that Indians are being targetted here if not racially but let's say as a soft targets. Government should now wake up and prevent such crime," he said.