Nagpur: Dadarao Barsagde’s days became hellish after he was detected with leprosy five decades back and abandoned by kin but, subsequent to hitting rock bottom, his life was transformed by the messiah of Anandwan.
Baba Amte cared for him as if Dadarao was his child; personally washed and bandaged him daily. In the wake of being cured, Barsagde – now a septuagenarian – preferred to dedicate himself to Anandwan.
Apart from medicines, nearly 4,000 m of bandage is required monthly for the treatment of each leper. Baba’s grandchild Dr. Sheetal is also committed to serving the patients.
While strolling in Anandwan with this correspondent, she narrates the realities and the darker aspect of lepers’ lives but adds that about 400 of 1,800 admitted last year were fully cured.
“After detection, the victim is suddenly trashed out. Instilling confidence to live with dignity becomes most impor t ant for physicians treating them. Even the powers that be are apathetic; there is no proper support for rehabilitation and no machinery available vis-à-vis care. Many die of hunger and hospitals run by social organisations gradually stopped work owing to dearth of funds,” she avers.
Like Barsagde, several sufferers turned trainers at Anandwan as they can better comprehend the physical pain as well as the mental agony of such patients. Wheelchairbound Sadashiv Tajane served as principal at a school meant for the differently-able within Anandwan. Post-retirement, he was made director of the orchestra Swaranandwan comprising leprosy-afflicted, visually-challenged, orthopaedicallychallenged and speech-and-aurallyimpaired residents! The artists have performed in excess of 3,000 shows held in Maharashtra and Delhi. Assets generated through commercial performances are utilised in inmates’ welfare.
Dr. Vikas Amte, carrying forward his sire’s mission, is endeavouring to convert Anandwan into a smart village. A marriage website was developed.
“Faith has kept us going,” say doctors Vikas and Sheetal. v