Suresh 

Poverty remains one of the main causes of social and health problems. Suresh belongs to one of the millions of poor families of Uttar Pradesh. The family comprise grandfather, father, step-mother, three brothers and a sister. Suresh is the eldest of the brothers and is very found of wrestling. One day while doing his exercises he hurt his knee badly. In a few days the swelling and pain increased considerably so he was taken to the local doctor but the treatment had no affect and his pain continued to increase.  

After a few days he was taken to a specialist who advised immediate operation to save the leg. However, his father was reluctant to spare the money for the operation and as stated by Suresh under the influence of his step-mother he refused to provide him any help for the treatment of his knee. There was a heated argument between the father and the son and when Suresh saw that no help was forthcoming, he resigned himself to his fate.  

Without treatment the injury became cancerous; some homeopathic treatment was tried with no affect. Once again he was taken to the hospital where it was advised that his leg below the knee must be amputed if his life was to be saved. The cost of operation had increased considerably because of the complications. His father again refused to oblige. 

Suresh was desperate, he had heard that there was a hospital in Jaipur that provided treatment at very low rates. He stole Rs 200 from his father and reached Jaipur. He knew nobody in Jaipur and the only alternative he had was to start begging. He selected a Mandir for this purpose and managed to survive. Seeing his pitiable condition one kindly soul took him to Swai Man Singh Hospital and financially supported him for his initial check up. But for the operation at least Rs. 50,000 were required and there was no hope of even raising Rs. 5,000. In the mean time cancer was spreading and Suresh was losing all hopes of survival. 

Help came from a totally unexpected source. A person saw him lying helpless in front of the Mandir and approached him. He explained that he himself was grievously ill and had taken refuge in Pingalwara, Amritsar. The treatment, accommodation, food and care was totally free, and he had fully recovered in about a years time. He advised Suresh to reach Pingalwara somwhow if he wanted to save his life. 

Suresh is a courageous man and he  reached Pingalwara in September 2004. His leg was amputed after a few days. He made a quick recovery  and  was eager to get back home and start his life a fresh. Pingalwara Prosthetic centre fitted him with a leg and he was on his feet the very first day. Suresh cannot make up his mind whether to go back to his home  or try and find a job in Amritsar. 

November 2005

Suresh has decided to stay in Pingalwara and has started his training as a helper in the Pingalwara  Physiotherapy Centre.