Kiran Bedi, Ramdas Athawale, Udit Raj, Inaugurate Mumbai-based Ratna Nidhi's Disability Camp in Ladakh

MUMBAI, June 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Land mine victims and bomb victims from Leh and Kargil receive 511 appliances at the Ratna Nidhi Ladakh camp 

It was a celebration at the Mahabodhi hospital in Ladakh on Sunday, 25th June.

511 appliances including callipers, Jaipur foot, hearing aids and crutches were distributed at the Mahabodhi hospital in Ladakh, with the blessings of Ladakh's own benefactor and hero, Bhikkhu Sanghasena.

Children, women, men, soldiers, landline victims and the elderly - all were present in massive numbers at the hospital, with hope and eagerness that their life would indeed change. Several dignitaries visited the disability camp.

Kiran Bedi, the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, was very moved, "This is social transformation at the grassroot level and I am very happy to see Ratna Nidhi's massive work in this area."

She was happy to see a bomb attack-victim get a Jaipur foot. Tsering Dorgay (67 yrs) of Leh, a carpenter by profession, was hit by a bomb on his leg below the right foot, as a child. He had got a Jaipur foot done back then; but now after 27 years of wear-and-tear, he was happy to get a new Jaipur foot fitted. What made him happier was that the Ratna Nidhi Jaipur foot was lighter than the one he had earlier.

Hon. Minister Ramdas Athawale took keen interest in Mohammed Ismail, a child of four years, who was born with a deformity in both his legs. He couldn't walk. His father brought him to Ratna Nidhi's camp to get callipers for supporting both his feet. The Hon Minister said, "This child will get a future because of Ratna Nidhi's disability camp and that's what is important."

Member of Parliament, North Delhi, Udit Raj took keen interest in the disability camp. Rotary South Mumbai and Rotary Worli also supported the camp. An eye-camp was organised in parallel at the hospital by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

Rajiv Mehta and Asha Mehta, Trustees, Ratna Nidhi, said, "We are very happy that we could make a difference to the people of Leh and Kargil during this camp. We will surely come back for more."

Some case studies of beneficiaries at the camp: 

- Landmine victim gets Jaipur Foot 

70 year-old Sonam Phuntsok, of Leh district, a farmer, had stepped on a landmine, during the Kargil war in 1999, due to which his right leg was injured severely leading to gangrene. His leg was amputated, and he lost all hope of living a normal life. Finally, he was able to get a Jaipur foot free of charge from Ratna Nidhi.

- 10 year-old child with no arms gets a new lease of life 

10 year-old Zahar Hussan, of Nubra village in Leh district, became one of the first recipients of the Ratna Nidhi Jaipur arm. In 2016, Zahar touched a live wire while playing in his school. He was rushed to the hospital, but suffered bilateral amputation below the elbow. Naturally, he had been having immense difficulties to perform activities like eating food, wearing clothes and just about everything else. His uncle brought him to the Ratna Nidhi camp at Mahobodhi hospital, and Zahar is now a picture of delight. "I want to write again", he said.

- 25 year-old with one hand, runs a mobile repair shop, gets another hand. 

Jigmet Phuntsog hails from Alchi in Leh. Born with one hand, he's a young 25 year-old who runs a mobile repair shop. After his birth, his parents took him to doctors, but most treatment options were too expensive. After his 10th, his family made him a member of the locally supportive Pagir disability society which gave him a sponsorship to learn painting in Delhi, he couldn't complete the course as his father died and so he had to come back. In 2015 his friends taught him how to repair mobile phones and so, he took a loan and put up a shop to repair mobile phones.

In June 2017, the Mahabodhi school warden told him about the disability camp and his dreams were about to come true. He is getting his second hand for free, and can study further.

- Kargil Youngster comes to Ratna Nidhi's Ladakh camp to get Jaipur foot fitted 

Fayaz Ahmed, a resident of Kargil suffered deformity of his legs at the age of 14 due to a sudden infection. He was 16 at the time. He went to local doctors who tried inserting a rod to straighten his leg. Unfortunately, he got gangarene which aggravated the pain in his leg. In due course, his legs were amputated and the irony was that he was in so much pain, that he was happy to have his legs go.

With a meagre family income, there was little that he could do after this; except resign to his fate. That was till he heard of a free camp organised by Mumbai-based Ratna Nidhi Trust, with help from the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Ladakh. This was music to his ears, as just before the onset of Eid, he could get a new pair of feet. "I want to train to become a full-time electrician, and stand on my own feet," said Fayaz.

Ratna Nidhi Trust was also conferred the 'Mahakaruna' award, by the venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, at the Mahakaruna Day celebrations.

About Ratna Nidhi Trust

Ratna Nidhi Trust is a registered charity that was established in 1990 by Mr Mahendra Mehta. From a family institution, it has grown rapidly, with projects covering a wide range of activities located in both India and other developing countries, including Afghanistan, Sudan, Kenya and Burundi.

Ratna Nidhi Trust has served over 2.3 crore meals to underprivileged children in Mumbai since 1998. It is committed to the welfare of people from the most underprivileged strata of society. Its focus is providing mobility aids to the physically challenged and has already donated a quarter of a million mobility aids all over the world.

Sending mid-day meals to children who attend schools, providing books and garments to needy people, offering vocational training to street children, etc. In 2016, they won the Google Award to develop the Ratna Nidhi Leg, a well-fitting artificial leg through the use of 3D imaging, scanning and printing technologies.

Eminent personalities like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Anna Hazare, and Shri Ratan Tata have supported Ratna Nidhi's work in the past.

Media Contact:
Yashvy Savani
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Associate, The Network