Papa is alive today because of him

He saved our Papa

During 90s, in the locality I resided in Lucknow, one Mr.Hanuman Prasad, a Kumhar (potter) with his family including six children, lived near my place. His eldest son was around 15 years old. He was a poor man earning his livelihood selling earthen pots and god/ goddess idols crafted by him. I recollect, on the morning of 2nd January, 1995, Shri Hanuman Prasad had suddenly fainted. Knowing about it, me and many of the people living around gathered, a scrutiny of prescriptions for his ailment revealed that he suffered heart related problems.

We took him to Balrampur Hospital, Lucknow. There the Doctors enquired whether we were relatives of the patient, and on learning that we were his neighbours, advised that condition of heart of Shri Prasad was not good and his life was in danger. A pacemaker was urgently required to be implanted, and the total cost of treatment would be around Rs.125000/-. It obviously was beyond Shri Prasad's means.

At this, I took lead and started collecting from the other neighbours and my colleagues in Bank requesting them to contribute as much as possible to help this poor man in his ailment. This way, including my own contribution, we were able to collect an amount of Rs.50000/- approx., but it was not sufficient to cover the treatment needed urgently by Shri Prasad.

Taking a sympathetic view and note of our efforts, the Doctors at the hospital advised about a scheme under with the office of the Governor subsidized treatment to the poor people. Learning this, I decided to arrange the subsidy for Shri Prasad. I collected the necessary forms from the office of the Governor and obtained recommendations from 3 MLAs and 4 Ward members, a pre-condition, submitted the application at urgently. With continued efforts, after completion of the formalities, I was able to collect a cheque of Rs.78580/- from Governor’s office for treatment of Shri Prasad.

I admitted him in LARI Cardiology Centre, with the Government subsidy and our collection, a Pacemaker was successfully implanted to regulate his heart. He is alive 15 years from the date and has worked to bring up his children. His eldest son has also been married.

I was personally invited to the function by Shri Hanuman Prasad. His son introduced me to his bride saying that papa is alive today because of his efforts only. It is he who saved papa’s life. The family also offered me to return the money spent by us but I declined it politely.

I feel that the gratitude of the family is the sufficient reward for me. This small act of mine still provides me great internal satisfaction.

Indra Kumar Shukla
Local Head Office
Lucknow