Fate’s play can be peculiar; the tragedy of losing five family members within the same household was akin to a family facing a dance of death. Poonaram, born blind, faced the loss of his father due to illness when he was just 6 months old. Then, four years ago, his mother’s sudden demise due to hemorrhage added to the sorrow. The weight of grief intensified when, just a week later, his elder brother succumbed to the shock of their mother’s death. Tragically, his sister-in-law also passed away due to weakness, just four months after giving birth.
This heart-wrenching tale belongs to Poonaram (10) from Lohari village of Panchayat Umaria of tribal-dominated Kotra tehsil, an innate visually impaired child. After the demise of his parents, brother, and sister-in-law, when Poonaram and his siblings had no one to turn to, a neighboring couple offered their support. When Leela Devi, the social worker of the village, informed Narayan Seva Sansthan about this family, the Sansthan swiftly acted. On April 27, 2024, Sansthan’s team brought Poonaram to Udaipur and presented him before the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for medical examinations. Upon CWC’s orders, Poonaram was provided shelter in the residential school of the Sansthan.
Under the supervision of Sansthan director, Vandana Agarwal, and in the presence of Dr. Laxman Singh Jhala at the Alakh Nayan Mandir Netra Chikitsalaya, Poonaram underwent complete examinations and treatment. Dr. Jhala explained that the child, being blind since birth, suffered from malnutrition and was unfit for surgery due to blood deficiency. After a thorough month-long medical process, surgeries were performed on April 23 and April 30 for both eyes. Following the surgeries, the child saw the world for the first time. Upon receiving light, the child expressed gratitude to Narayan Seva Sansthan and the doctors, stating that he can now see everything and will be able to work on his own. Poonaram is now in good health, residing in Sansthan’s residential school, and continuing his education.
