In the Nimtala slum, where the rhythmic clatter of trains is a constant companion, 5-year-old Rishav faced a life-altering incident at the tender age of seven. As he lay asleep on the tracks, an unexpected train rushed by, leaving him with the unimaginable loss of one arm and one leg. The heart-wrenching incident unfolded in the blink of an eye, forever altering the course of Rishav’s life.
Living amidst the precarious railway tracks, the Nimtala slum is home to numerous families, mostly comprising daily wage labourers, van pullers, flower sellers, and domestic workers. Rishav’s family, with his father as the sole breadwinner, found themselves grappling with the aftermath of the tragic accident. Rishav, now 7 years old, stays with his parents and three siblings.
Amidst the despair, a glimmer of hope emerged when a compassionate neighbour assisted in getting Rishav to a government hospital. Thanks to a successful surgery, Rishav’s life was saved, but the financial burden loomed large upon the family as they struggled to meet the costs of ongoing treatment.
Enter Calcutta Rescue’s Nimtala clinic, a beacon of support for families in dire situations. Rishav’s mother, grateful for the helping hand, shared, “After we rescued Rishav, one of our neighbours helped us visit a government hospital. But after he was discharged, the treatment was very costly. As only Rishav’s father is the earning member, we were distressed about how to care for him. And then we brought him to Calcutta Rescue’s Nimtala clinic.”
Partha, the supervisor of the clinic, articulated the organization’s mission, “Rishav met with an accident in the budding years of his life rendering him physically challenged. And we wanted to give him a future where his physical problems will not hinder his daily life.”
Under the care of Calcutta Rescue, Rishav received the necessary medical attention and nutrition. It took two years for Rishav to regain strength in his limbs. As he regained his strength properly the organization took a step further by arranging a prosthetic leg for him, with plans to provide a prosthetic arm shortly.
Despite the challenges of his physical condition, Rishav emerged as a vibrant and resilient young boy. Surrounded by friends at school, he found joy in activities like drawing and playing carrom. When asked about his aspirations, Rishav, with a shy smile, replied, “I will think about it after a few years.”
