Polio-afflicted girl can walk thanks to friends, teachers

WITH HELP FROM FRIENDS: Vimla's teachers and friends have given her a new lease of life.

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Mumbai: A polio-afflicted girl, who was unable to even sit upright, is now all set to walk on her own. That's after a new set of friends and teachers in college collected funds to ensure a new life for her.

"At the age of six, I was afflicted with polio. At the age of 14, my spine started collapsing. It became difficult for me to sit," recalls Vimla Nadar.

Vimla, a student of Mumbai's Poddar college, once stared at a bleak future. She needed a surgery to get over her polio affliction. She was full of faith, but there was dearth of money.

"Our family income is Rs 6,000 per month, so we couldn't afford it," says she.

As days rolled on, Vimla's physical condition deteriorated. "I felt very breathless. I couldn't take long hours, I couldn't eat either," says she.

Vimla's condition worried her lecturers at Poddar college, especially a lecturer named Chanda Kathuria, who was reminded of her own disabled sister.

"I felt Vimla should not face the same fate as my sister. We lost her so I didn't want any such thing for Vimla," says Kathuria.

Soon Kathuria was joined by other teachers and students and money started pouring in for Vimla.

"We formed a group of 15 people and went from building to building, house to house and collected funds for Vimla," says Chand Kathuria.

Today, Vimla is recovering after the operation and will soon be able to walk. Vimla's teachers and friends have brought joy and music in her life and have ensured her life is full of new notes.

"This life is great. It has been given by God. I am very happy," says Vimla.

This is one of those rare instances when initiative, resolve and the strong sense of empathy overshadows all else.

Today, Vimla has not only got a new lease of life, but also has the support of a strong, extended family.