By Sandeep Pandey
Meena Devi, about 45 years of age but who looks much older, was bed ridden (floor ridden to be precise) when first spotted by a group of students from IIT-BHU in beginning of May, 2015 in Village Chittupur, next to BHU campus in Varanasi. She was partially physically challenged, cannot stand on her own feet, very weak, emaciated and unable to do any of her work, like going to toilet. She had to be lifted by her husband when required to move. She has been like this for the past five years. Earlier she was fine. It was probably a paralytic attack which has made her incapable. She was taken to Sir Sunder Lal Hospital in BHU but was too weak to have the medicines have any effect on her. Her husband, Chote Lal, 50 years old, a rickshaw puller comes home every day to give her a bath and then feeds her. The dedication of Chote Lal towards Meena Devi with her given condition is laudable. Another person in his position and facing financial crisis like he does could have thought of abandoning her. It is relationships like this which strengthen society’s commitment to humanity.
Since May fourth year IIT-BHU Computer Science and Engineering students Shubham Jalan, Shubham Soni, later joined by Pankaj Soni, have been taking food from IIT mess and feeding the couple. Chote Lal had also fractured his arm and was out of action for few months. He has not been able to pull rickshaw again.
Shefali Sangal, an ayurvedic doctor and daughter of present IIT-BHU Director, Prof. Rajeev Sangal, joined the efforts and started taking care of Meena by providing appropriate medication on regular basis. This included giving enema on weekly basis in which another fourth year IIT-BHU Ceramic Engineering student Bharti Agrawal, has been accompanying Shefali. Bharti has also raised money from her fellow students for treatment of Meena and also to fulfil some of their basic needs.
A local SC youth from Chittupur, Vikram, who has just secured an admission in the MSW programme at Kashi Vidyapeeth beginning academic year 2015-16, also helps the team from IIT-BHU when they go to feed or give medication to Meena. Vikram also keeps a closer watch on the condition of Meena as he lives in their neighbourhood.
Because of the food and medication, and most importantly the care and compassion of this young team Meena has started showing signs of improvement. She can stand on her own now, sit on the cot and is able to talk more than before.
The IIT students have got Aadhar Card made for Chote Lal on the basis of which a bank account will be opened soon. Application for getting a ration card will also be made soon.
The young team from IIT-BHU and Vikram have presented a remarkable example of commitment towards serving the society, especially the weak and downtrodden. True learning must make a human being sensitive enough to help the incapable in their surrounding. Otherwise what is the meaning of education?
