As a part of the opening function of the Ashadi festivities, the beneficiaries of the Jaipur Foot Camp being conducted by the Seva Dal of Maharashtra and Goa in Prashanti Nilayam were brought to Swami for Darshan. Two of the patients demonstrated before Him the tremendous difference the artificial limb and caliper has made to the quality of their lives, rending them free of crutches and dependency on others for their movements. Swami showered them with love and benevolently blessed the Amruta Kalash which was presented to each of the patients. The Amruta Kalash comprises of basic groceries for a household for a month, in addition to sarees for the ladies and dhotis and shirts for the men.

Since July 14, 2010 when the camp began, the Ashram had been charged with an aura of exuberance, hope and gratitude as about 229 patients hand picked from 40 villages across the 3 Mandals of Puttaparthy, Kottacheruhu, Bukkapatnam and the districts of Kunnoor and Anantpur, were provided with Jaipur legs. One felt the miracle in the core of one’s being when one saw men, women and children who had not walked for decades suddenly treading the path of new, dignified, fulfilling lives! Says Chintamni, “I had lost my leg 10 years ago in an accident. After that I lost my job too and had no means of livelihood. Now with the leg I can get a job and finally lead a self reliant life!”

Prashanti Nilayam was full of such moving stories of hope being instilled where none was left, and of dreams coming true! Not one eye was left dry as the gathering in the camp kept cheering for every successive patient who finally let go off his crutches and walked on his own!

The Jaipur Foot limbs are so crafted that they provide almost as much utility as natural legs. After receiving those, patients have been known to be able to ride bicycles, drive vehicles and even climb trees with ease! Every leg is different in proportion and size hence each of the 200 plus patients there were first taken in for detailed measurements and the leg was made ready for use within 24 hours. If this is laudable, it is even more commendable to see the patients walk normally within an hour of being fitted with the limb.

While walking without support may still be a long way off for some polio patients, they too were given the opportunity for a more dignified life by providing them with calipers or wheelchairs as per their needs. Says the father of Gurunath, a 14 year old boy, afflicted with severe polio for the past 5 years, “As my son is growing, it is getting more and more difficult to carry him around. We could have never been able to afford a wheelchair. It is only Baba’s grace that my son can now lead a more independent life.”

Truly, as was so beautifully evidenced in the immense love that Bhagawan showered on the beneficiaries on the finale of the Jaipur Foot Camp, while the patients’ worldly journeys have been filled with hope, their spiritual journeys too would have advanced towards stronger faith and love for Bhagawan!