Physically-challenged people get new lease of life here

Trust provides artificial limbs free

Humane gesture: Gurudeva Charitable Trust founder R. Jagadish Babu interacting with patients who were supplied artificial limbs in Mangalampalem of Vizianagaram district.

Many physically-challenged people found new hope at the Gurudeva Charitable Trust at Mangalampalem near Kothavalasa of Vizianagaram district, thanks to the support extended by the trust which not only provides artificial limbs but also imparts skill training to help them eke out a livelihood.

About 26,000 victims, who lost their limbs due to accidents or various other reasons, could get back their smiles in the last 15 years with the support of the trust. The trust spends around ₹3,000 on each victim for providing artificial limbs apart from food and shelter during treatment. About 1,500 patients visit Mangalampalem every month for the aid. The trust supplies tri-cycles, crutches, hearing aids and other implements to physically and visually-challenged people.

An elderly woman, Lakshmi, who met with an accident in 2003, says that she has been able to lead a normal life with a perfectly fitted artificial limb.

An electrician, Murthy, who lost his limbs due to electrocution, is now able to perform his activities normally, after he has been fitted with artificial limbs.

Turning point

The founder of the trust, Mr.Jagadish Babu, like many youngsters of his time, aspired for a job in the US after completion of B.Tech in computer science. However, the tragic loss of his close friend Rajasekhar has changed his entire life plan. Rajasekhar had lost his legs in an accident and later lost his life in another accident when he was going to Jaipur in Rajasthan to get artificial limbs for himself.

Support pours in

Mr.Jagadish Babu then decided to serve the physically-challenged persons in Vizianagaram district. Mr. Nalineesh of Hyderabad, who got the President’s award for social service, agreed to establish a manufacturing unit at Mangalampalem. Mr.Jagadish, who hailed from a landlord’s family, started serving the needy with the help of his parents. Soon the good word spread, and organisations like the Visakhapatnam Port Trust, top industries, realty organisations, NGOs and public representatives have joined hands with the trust and helped expand its service activities.

“My aim is to prove that physically-challenged persons are second to none. Apart from supplying limbs, we are organising skill development programmes to enable them earn a decent livelihood. It gives more happiness than awards,” says Mr.Jagadish Babu.