“Miracles do happen when some one cares”

She was abandoned in the doorstep by her own mother…

Udavum Karangal stood up to a mother’s trust! Pappa Vidyaakar recalls. On a sunny morning in April 2001 a poor woman approached him with an unusual request. She wanted to leave her six-month-old baby girl who had a big hump at her back, at Udavum Karangal.


As Udavum Karangal does not encourage mothers surrendering their babies, the woman was counselled about the importance of the baby being looked after by its own mother, and assured her of financial support for treating the baby. The woman looked convinced and left saying “After admitting my child in hospital I will come back to you”.But the volunteers were taken by surprise when late in the night they heard a baby’s loud cry outside the office. The mother had abandoned the baby at the doorstep and vanished. The baby was in pain. Vidyaakar says “When I picked her up in my arms, I decided that somehow I should save this baby”. “The mother chose to leave the child in my door step instead of a dustbin, because she believed that some how the baby would be saved if left in Udavum Karangal’s care” .

Udavum Karangal volunteers wasted no time in getting the child admitted in Apollo Hospital. Dr. Radha Rajagogpal, Director-Medical Education, of Apollo Hospital, took personal interest in little “Meenakshi” (that is what the volunteers named her) and over the days performed three complicated surgeries to remove the life threatening huge hump which was right on her lower spine.

Little Meenakshi survived! She was relieved of the pain. But trouble was not over for the cute little girl. Though the dangerous tumor was removed successfully, she was left without movement below waist. She couldn’t stand or walk. Her beautiful, expressive eyes at time wore a sad look when other children played gaily around her.

Dr. Radha Rajagopal and Apollo Hospital once again came in rescue of Meenakshi. She underwent two more surgeries a month back, and to everyone’s surprise Meenakshi is able to stand on her own. According to the doctor she would be able to walk and run like any other child within a few months time. Beautiful Meenu is full of life, her eyes say how grateful she is to every one who supported her!“Today we owe a debt of gratitude to Apollo hospital, especially to the team of doctors', says Pappa Vidyaakar.



“Miracles do happen when some one cares”
Hope we, software engineers will extend our contributions to organizations like this to enlighten the life of these blooming buds…!

By
D.Santhoshini