Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Feb 26: This is a story of kindness and selfless service, where good deeds, came full circle back, as a blessings at the time of distress to a youth of Shore Point area, who had lost both of his arms while helping others.
Mr. Gaurab Kumar Paul, a 29 year old resident of Shore Point, Bombooflat had a terrible accident on 21st June 2018, when, because of electrocution, he sustained injuries on the right and the left forearms.
The injuries of electrocution were so severe that ultimately it resulted in amputation of both the arms (below elbows).
This incident took place during a marriage ceremony, when Mr. Gaurab Kumar Paul was trying to help someone, who was putting electric-lines. Somehow this move to help others, turned into a very painful experience for Gaurab and this accident completely changed his life forever.
What followed afterwards was nothing less than a long and never ending nightmare for him and his family members. After several month-long treatments, he finally lost both of his arms and his life became totally dependent on others.
After several research and consultations with doctors he found that he can have prosthetic arms, costing a little more than four lacks each (Rs. 8.5 lakhs for a pair) after which he will be able to at least hold things with three moving artificial fingers in each arm.
But in India prosthetic arms cost a fortune and hence he was not able to approach any agency, which provides prosthetic arms.
Andaman Sheekha carried a story about Mr. Gaurab Kumar Paul on 21 January 2019 after which many kind hearted people came forward to help him financially and logistically. People of Andaman and Nicobar Islands collected some amount for Gaurab but sadly the amount was not enough for the prosthetic arms, which could bring some relief for Gaurab and hence the family decided to wait.
But just when the family members of Mr. Gaurab Kumar Paul thought that there is no possibility of any further help, an Islander, who have been living abroad for more than three decades and working for US government as contractor, stepped in.
Mr. Swaraj Shahid Bhowal, the Islander, who is presently working in CENTCOM Middle East but was always connected to Andaman and Nicobar Islands emotionally, took up this mission to collect sufficient fund for Gaurab’s Prosthetic arms, as a challenge and started contacting all his friends, sharing them the story he read in Andaman Sheekha daily about the accident.
Soon, miracle happened. Most of the people, Mr. Swaraj Shahid had contacted, fondly came forward to help Gaurab and within a year two prosthetic arms were arranged for Gaurab.
In the month of December 2020, Gaurab got both the prosthetic arms fixed and now he is able to do basic arm movements and carryout basic works like opening bottles, picking up little things, lifting objects etc.
Although the prosthetic arms, can’t replace natural arms, but thanks to Mr. Swaraj Shahid, the prosthetic arms came as a great blessing for Gaurab, enough to induce a new energy in Gaurab to live life and dream for a bright future.
The only challenge, which Gaurab facing now is to find a job, so that he can earn daily bread and support his family.
Presently Gaurab’s family is going through a financial crisis, after all these years of treatment, travel and consultancies. His father is a private worker and his mother is an Angarnwadi worker. Gaurab wish to become independent now and support his parents.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha Gaurab pointed out that although writing and computer works might not be possible for him but he can do some physical works like job of office attendant, guard duty, lifting light objects like files and papers etc and he is now looking for one such job.
He thanked every Islander from deepest core of his heart to help him during the time of crisis and helped him to get both prosthetic arms. “Especial thanks to Mr. Swaraj Shahid, who came as a guarding angel for me and helped me in all possible ways. He has not only arranged sufficient funds but also stood beside me throughout the process, which is an exceptionally kind gesture,” he said.
Mr. Gaurab hoped that soon he will be able to find a job to lead a normal life and support his parents who already faced a difficult time in last three years.
Andaman Sheekha Hope that some employer in Andaman will be kind enough to contact Gaurab Kumar Paul (9679548683) and offer him some job, suitable for him and continue the act of kindness, started by many Islanders.
Andaman Sheekha also would like to take this opportunity to thanks all Islanders to come forward and help Gaurab and especial gratitude for Mr. Shaheed Swaraj for his exemplary act of kindness.
This story of an Island boy who fought all odds with the help of other fellow Islanders is worth sharing with the world so that that act of kindness, which is contagious in nature, spread all over and inspire thousands of others to help the needy.
