And the Life Thrives

Person at the other end of the phone line was inviting Krishna Mahadik Ji (A Swyam Sevak of RSS and Senior Associate of Nana Palkar Smriti Samiti) for wedding ceremony of his son. Sensing confusion in Krishna Ji's response to his invitation, the man on phone introduced him as Vikas Chakravarti from Siliguri and said that he is sending air tickets for him as well. 

Stressing his memory a bit on the pronounced name, eventually Krishna Ji recalled a series of events took place twenty years back, when a couple from Siliguri came to Mumbai with their five years old critically ill kid in hope to get a better treatment for him. But when at Tata Memorial Hospital the kid diagnosed with Blood Cancer, the couple found themselves in a situation where all hopes seemed to be diminished. Doctor's told Vikas Chakarvarty and his wife, the only treatment available for this disease is Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and cost of this procedure was 13 Lakh.

Passing through a very unfortunate time, the couple along with the kid dropped into Nana Palkar Simruti Samiti's Rugna Sewa Kendra, here patients and their care takers are provided Breakfast in 5 Rupees and Meal in just 10 Rupees along with this lodging facility is free for a month, family received so much of care, affection and assistance in treatment of their only child Bidurin at this center and developed a personal bonding with Krishna Ji. As the medicos told them that only real sibling could donate the bone marrow to the kid, then for the mother of Bidurin that building was parent’s home, she remained there for 9 months and along with the treatment of Bidurin she gave birth to healthy girl child. One hurdle was excelled but another was still there- The huge amount of 13 Lakh. 

But as it is said where there's a will, there's a way- 4 lakhs Rupees was paid by former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly and amountof 2 lakh Rupees was arranged by the Samiti with help of well wishers. Finally the day had come when a team of top doctor's at Tata Memorial Hospital carried out surgery on Bidurin. For the astonishment of all, surgery was not only a success but a historic milestone in medical science. Later Bidurin was invited to America to study the surgery he under went. 

Now, after 20 year, Bidurin is completely fit and fabulous. "With the grace of God and help of Samiti our Bidurin is with us" expresses Vikas Chakravarti, adding they consider everyone who supported them in those crucial time as part of their family. Bidurin, presently works as senior software engineer at Accenture in Banglore. He still remembers his affectionate Mumbaikar Chacha (Uncle) Krishna Ji. Chakarvarty family made it very clear that  without the presence of  krishna Ji, Bidurin's wedding will not take place. Touched with the emotions of family, Krishan Ji along with few swayamsevaks went to Siliguri to attend the wedding. 

 One can find numerous such emotional stories connected with Nana Palkar Simruti Samiti, which started in 1968, in memory of RSS Pracharak Nana Palkar, with the sole aim to serve the poor patients. In beginning a very small initiative, now Samiti possess a ten story state of the art building as it's operational base equipped with a modern Dialysis Center, 14 Dialysis Machines, T.B. Treatment Center, Pathology Lab and Patient care unit. Besides this Samiti operates 24 hours Ambulance Service and spends 6.5 lakh every month to help needy patients to get their surgeries done. From 2014 to 2017 total 110000 dialysis have been done at Samiti's center. Cost of dialysis is just 350 rupees that is quite low if compared to open market price. Samiti also look after the food requirement of women admitted at Wadia Hospital for delivery.