Juli�s true grit despite all odds

[Pradip Kumar Datta]

Juli with her parents at the GMCH

Juli’s true grit despite all odds
By Prabal Kr Das
 GUWAHATI, June 9 – Fellow feeling or philanthropic spirit in our society could well be on the wane. How else could a young woman’s misfortune fail to evoke public concern? For close to a month now, Juli Baruah has been undergoing treatment in the Guwahati Medical College Hospital, after she lost both her forearms in a bus accident. But the postgraduate student of Cotton College, who would require substantial funds for her rehabilitation, is yet to receive major financial contribution from any quarters.

It was on the morning of May 13 that Juli’s bus (AS 01 F 7595) turned turtle on the road under Laluk Police Station resulting in the death of one person and injury to several others. The bus was speeding to make up for a delayed departure from Guwahati, it was reported.

Immediately after the accident Juli, in seat number four, was in excruciating pain, which continued even after some local people rescued her. It was then she realized that both her forearms were torn off near the elbows. 

She was first taken to the Saboti Civil Hospital where first aid was provided and doctors cleaned her wounds. The same night she was transferred to the GMCH, where she has since been recuperating at the female orthopedics ward.

Speaking to The Assam Tribune today, Juli revealed that she nurtured an ambition to take up teaching after completion of postgraduate studies in botany. “I was very keen to stay in academics.”

True her life has been altered, but even as she finds herself against great odds, her morale remains high. At times, the gritty girl even manages a smile or two.

As she tries to come to terms with her present condition, her parents and well-wishers are pondering over her future. She would need major efforts for her rehabilitation, which would include consultation with specialized doctors in hospitals outside the State.

Funds in the region of Rs 6 lakh would be required for Juli to have proper prosthetics, produced by a US company called Endolite, said a doctor. She could be fitted with a 

functional prosthetic right forehand. But her left forearm would be cosmetic, a doctor said.

Her father Khirendra Baruah, a schoolteacher from Duliagaon, Dhakuakhana stated that some people and groups have come to offer their sympathies, and some funds have been received. But that would not be enough. 

Significantly not a single corporate or public sector undertaking, even those who swear by corporate philanthropy, have come to her aid. “Doesn’t she, a seriously handicapped student, merit financial aid?” asked one of her well-wishers. 

While corporate response has been non-existent, the Cotton College fraternity has come forward to bring some succor to its student. An account (30050138276) has been opened in her name at the GMC Branch of the SBI, where donations could be made. 

The lack of funds might prolong Juli’s suffering because her family, on the recommendation of doctors, want to take her to Chennai after some time. Thereafter, she would require additional financial support to go through an effective rehabilitation programme. 

A senior journalist commenting on Juli’s tragedy stated that the State should have a corpus fund for the welfare of students and other young people, and the insurance scheme that the Government has introduced should also include these two vulnerable sections.

   
  Friends, we all must help her in every possible way.
   
  Pradip Kumar Datta
  Silchar, Assam
  www.silchartoday.com 
   
   

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