More than 100 amputees find hope at Mumbai's Dadar prosthetic camp

More than 100 people who lost limbs due to accidents illness and workplace injuries gathered at Dadar Eastrsquos Nico Hall on Sunday for a free prosthetic screening camp that many described as a second chance at rebuilding their livesThe daylong camp organised by Narayan Seva Sansthan in association with Shri Radha Krishna Charitable Foundation USA screened beneficiaries for customised prosthetic limbs that will be provided over the next two months using digital measurement and 3D socket technologyAdvanced prosthetic limbs displayed during the free screening and measurement camp held at Nico Hall in Dadar EastBut beyond the medical screenings the event became a gathering of survival stories mdash from a nationallevel para athlete who lost both legs in a Mumbai local train accident to workers whose livelihoods disappeared after amputations caused by workplace injuries and illnesslsquoI wanted to dance againrsquoAmong those at the camp was 24yearold Agnal Naidu who lost both legs in a Mumbai local train accident in December 2021 Naidu said he had travelled alone by train for the first time after his scooter was seized by a bank over an unpaid loanldquoOn December 27 2021 after my dance class I was taking a train from Santacruz to go home in Mankhurd And while getting on the train I slipped and one of my legs got stuck between the gap of the platform and the trainrdquo Naidu told middayldquoThere were six coaches which went over my leghellip after that another few trains passed over my second leg leading to that also being severedrdquo he claimed Naidu said he battled depression after the accident but found hope through dance and para sportsldquoI had contemplated ending my life but the thought of my mother being alone stopped merdquo he said Today he has won two nationallevel gold medals representing Maharashtra in para basketball along with a silver medal in Frisbee throw and may get an opportunity to attend a handball training camp that could lead to selection for India in SpainStories of survivalYogendra Sawant former newspaper vendorSawant who delivered newspapers even during the COVID years lost his leg after a small injury worsened into gangrene during the 2024 monsoon season ldquoOne of the days when I was out I guess I stepped on a nail or some sharp object which led to a cut in my left legrdquo he saidldquoThe whole time from getting nicked through my shoes to the amputation was so small I didnrsquot have enough time to processrdquo Sawant said he has since been unemployed and is surviving on savings ldquoIf I do end up getting it in two months and it is comfortable I will be able to resume my work easily and then earn for myself againrdquoGokul Panchpute steel workerThe 21yearold lost both hands in an electrocution accident at a steel workshop in Beed around 10 months ago ldquoI worked at a steel working place in Beed and one random day I had an accident with some tools and both my hands were severely damagedrdquo he said Panchpute attended the camp to be assessed for hand prostheticsSantosh Dawre heavy vehicle driverDawre lost his right leg in a heavy vehicle accident around 2016 and said he has struggled to hold on to jobs since ldquoThey said I couldnrsquot do it properlyrdquo he said referring to his recent layoff ldquoI am looking forward to getting my prostheticshellip then I will be able to easily get another job and earn for myself againrdquoWhat makes these prosthetics different from the ones usually availableAccording to organisers the Narayan Modular Artificial Limb uses Japanese and German engineering technology along with 3Dprinted socket systemsFeatures includegtgt Digital body measurementgtgt Lightweight componentsgtgt Better balance and mobilitygtgt Reduced friction and paingtgt Improved fitting precisiongtgt More ergonomic and durable designPeople who lost limbs due to accidents illness and workplace injuries gather for the prosthetic screening camp organised in Dadar East PicAshish RajeWhat organisers saidDr Manas Ranjan Sahu said the technology allows prosthetic limbs to be customised according to each personrsquos body structure ldquoThis significantly reduces issues such as friction pain and imbalance enabling users to walk and move in a more natural mannerrdquo he saidMLA Kalidas Kolambkar who attended the camp said the initiative was about restoring dignity and independence ldquoWhen a person stands on their feet again after years or regains the ability to work with their hands it symbolises not just medical care but the rebuilding of life itselfrdquo he said