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Author: Alka Dhupkar
Publication: Mid Day
Date: June 6, 2007
URL: http://www.mid-day.com/news/city/2007/june/158802.htm
Jaiprakash Gurav, 28
Rides bike to work at Byculla
Lost his left leg
I was employed on a salary of Rs 6,500 with a chemical firm. The injury in
the blast at Jogeshwari meant I could not continue my job as I would be exposed
to chemicals. Prosthetics worked for me and I am riding my favourite motorcycle
once again. I have no complaints with life. It happened to me, it could have
happened to someone else; that should not stop me from smiling at the world.
============
Chirag Chauhan, 22
Third year student of the Indian Institute of Chartered Accountancy, lives
in Kandivli
Paralysed below the waist
I was returning home from a firm where I was doing my articles, when I was
injured in the blast at Khar. My spinal cord was affected and I was completely
paralysed below my waist. I feared it was all over. But the electric wheel
chair has restored me to partial mobility. I can still go to the market, meet
friends, etc., and I don't have to depend on someone else for small issues,
which I had feared I would have to. I am continuing my studies and I preparing
for my exams in November. I hope to do well. Life's not entirely normal, but
then, show me one person whose life is.
(Chirag's father passed away four years ago; his mother is a housewife.)
============
Sameer Gujarati, 40
Civil engineer from Goregaon
Lost his right leg below the knee
I lost my right leg in the blast at Borivli and I thought my life was over.
My profession demands that I climb up and down work sites as there are no
lifts in under-construction buildings. I wasn't sure prosthetics would work
for me, but thankfully, I was proved wrong.
My life is back to normal, just a bit slower may be. Let's say, that if I
was in the 100 kmph lane before the blast, I have moved into the 80 kmph lane.
I'm working at a project near Jammu and after the blasts, I don't feel hampered
by my prosthetic leg at all.
(Gujarati became a role model for other patients and was so happy with his
experience that he referred two patients - not from the blasts - to his company)
============
Mahendra Pitale, 33
Glass designer
Left hand amputee
I use computers to design the glass façade for buildings. I was injured
in the blast near Jogeshwari station and lost my left hand. It did not affect
work directly since I work with my right hand, but I felt incomplete. Now
with the artificial limb, I sort of feel complete. Three months ago, I started
working again and I am happy now. I still travel by train to Vile Parle to
my job.
(While Pitale has an elbow prosthetic by Otto Bock, he needs a Myoelectronic
prosthetic to help him better, which is expensive. If you can help, please
get in touch with him on 9920378599.)
============
Kamal Khemka, 35
Had printing press, was promised job by Railways, but didn't get it as the
disability was not 'serious' enough
Lost his right arm
I lost part of my right hand in the blast and it affected my printing press
business in Mira Road. Now it's difficult running my business and the Railways,
after promising me a job, have disappointed me by saying that I am not disabled
enough (MiD DAY, May 29, 2007). I am studying the laws and provisions for
the disabled - unfortunately they are not followed in this country. I hope
to create that awareness.
============
Dheeraj Rathod, 57
Superintendent in Central Excise department; yet to resume work
Lost his right hand, hearing impaired
I was grievously injured in the blast near Khar. There are also four huge
holes in my body and there are 17 foreign particles are still lodged in my
body, which can't be removed. I'm always in pain and doctors have warned me
of the possibility of poisoning from the foreign bodies. I must think of my
daughters (age 13 and 14) and my parents, before I think about myself and
my injuries. Given all this, I should have been dejected, but I'm not. I am
happy that I am amongst my people.
============
Kamlesh Rajbhar, 17
A pani puriwala at Sion
Lost both legs below the knee
We could not contact him. The man is so happy with his new life that he is
vacationing at his native place in Uttar Pradesh.
The compensation
Immediately after the blasts, Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav had declared
a Rs 5 lakh compensation for families of those killed, Rs 50,000 for injured
and also promised jobs to victim's kin.
Besides, the Railway Claims Tribunal can disburse claims of up to Rs 4 lakh as compensation. Under the Railway Act, people are entitled to compensation for 39 types of injuries listed in the Act.
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