Bangalore: The humane face of the Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna came to fore when he obliged the legendary Shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan's request for a free medical seat in a city college to his granddaughter.

Close on the heels of Krishna sanctioning Rs two lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to Khan for his medical treatment, the request for help for medical seat followed from the Shehnai doyen.

Chief Minister's Secretariat said Manisha Raza, granddaughter of Khan, accompanied by her father Zaffer Raza came to Bangalore on August 31 on a thanking mission and it virtually turned out to be a windfall for the family.

On arrival, the duo called on Krishna, presented a pot of sacred "Ganga jal" as a token of gratitude and handed him a letter written by Khan thanking him for the financial help.

In that letter, the maestro has also sought Krishna's help in securing a medical seat for his granddaughter.

Krishna on being told about the impressive educational track record of Manisha and moved by the bad financial condition of the family, requested liquor baron Aadikeshuvulu, chairman of the private Vaidehi Medical College to offer a seat to the girl.

Aadikeshuvulu not only agreed to grant a free medical seat in the management quota, but also waive entire fee to Manisha till the completion of the five-year-course.

On August 7, a beaming Manisha received her admission certificate from the college from the hands of the Chief Minister.

PTI