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Afroze Ansari had lost vision in left eye five years ago, but now as a terror victim, he'll get a cornea transplant

giving HOPE: Shaina N C of I Love Mumbai donated a computer to Afroze Ansari at JJ Hospital. Afroze was injured in the terror attack at CST. PIC/VISHAL KELKAR

Afroze Ansari (13) lost his parents, uncle and cousin on November 26. But it's because of that terrible evening that the vision in his left eye will be restored.

Afroze had come with his family to Mumbai to visit his older brother who runs a taxi here. They were leaving for Patna that day when two terrorists killed them. Afroze who had shrapnel injuries on his neck and back was taken to JJ Hospital.

There, he was visited by Shaina NC of I Love Mumbai, who saw that Afroze couldn't see with his left eye. Afroze had lost sight in that eye when he was playing gilli-danda in his hometown Nawada, Bihar, five years ago. The family had even consulted Mumbai ophthalmologist Dr Kulin Kothari at the time, but the corneal transplant was too costly.

Mohammed Sagheer Ansari (20), Afroze's other elder, said the family had resigned themselves to Afroze's handicap. But now, with Shaina's intervention, the same Dr Kothari will examine Afroze for a corneal graft when he is discharged.

"The success rates are as high as 80 to 90 per cent and we're confident that Afroze will respond well to surgery," said Kothari. After two weeks of convalescence, Afroze will be able to see with both eyes.

Afroze, a Std V student now, was full of shy smiles at the hospital yesterday. "I want to be an engineer. The first thing I'll do after leaving this hospital is register myself at school." He's even got a computer worth around Rs 50,000 from I Love Mumbai.

His brother, however, said that Afroze is already weary with the amount of media attention coming his way. "He cries for his mother sometimes, but stops when we comfort him. He has grown many years in the last few days."