APPLYING mehndi on her hands and performing the aarti for Ganesh Chaturthi are Monika More's main wishes for next year. The 23-year-old, who lost her arms in a 2014 train accident at Ghatkopar station, underwent transplant surgery at Global Hospitals in Parel on Friday. Post the successful procedure, her mother and relatives are jubilant that she finally has a shot at a better life. The family was to have their Ganesh visarjan on Friday which was postponed as a donor became available on Thursday.

"Monika used to get upset during weddings or when she would see anyone with mehndi on their hands. She missed applying mehndi on her hands," said Vishwas Jadhav, Monika's uncle. "Monika was not able to do anything beyond holding a spoon and pen with the artificial limbs. She could not take a bath, comb her hair, eat. At 16 years, she became completely dependent on her mother. With the human limbs, she can become independent again."