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Original Article in Bengali daily, Anandabazar Patrika: https://www.anandabazar.com/state/west-bengal-news-little-girl-who-lost-one-hand-in-bomb-blast-asks-father-to-bring-her-a-new-hand-1.805313?ref=hm-editorschoice
Translated article mentioning the incident:
“When are you going to get my new hand” a question from a daughter to a helpless father…..
She has lost her left hand, is so simple to say but this seven years kid is still yet to come to terms. Rather she is praying daily to the God to get back her hand……
Many a time she is trying to hold the colour pencil packet, books with her left hand, then often getting dis-balanced while getting up on the bed, her eyes getting wet when she is not able put saree for her doll with one hand. With the right hand on her forehead she continues praying to the All Mighty, “oh god, please return my hand.”
This tragic incident occurred on 20th April 2018. This year Panchayat (rural local bodies) election in the West Bengal claimed 13 lives along with violent political clashes. As the political violence spread across the state, Sambhu Halder’s family also did not escaped. On the morning of the fateful day, during her daily routine task of plucking flower, assuming it to be a toy, a bomb was picked up by his daughter Poulami.
On seeing her with the bomb in hand, her father and grandfather cried aloud “throw it immediately.” Poulami at once threw it, but within a second there was an explosion. A blinding light and a terrible sound. Unconscious in a pool of blood lay little Poulami. Even after six weeks of the incident, Police is clueless on the source of the bombs. Political parties continue the allegation and counter allegation games.
It took three timely surgery at the R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata to save Poulami’s life. However, she lost the portion below her left elbow forever. Now, she hides the left hand swathed in bandages from all. She murmurs “Will never go to pluck flowers”
Poulami lives at Goplapur village, near Haroa, North 24 Paraganas district in West Bengal. She studies in the 3rd standard and her elder sister is in the 8th standard. Her father Sambhu is sick with neuro problem for last one year and unable to run her vegetable shop. Her mother Deepali Halder runs the family by tailoring.
Smt. Deepali laments, “Poulami awakes up in the mid night out of pain, and cries what is the use of growing up with one hand !” Deepali not allowing her younger daughter to go out of sight for a moment now. Sitting on mother’s lap Poulami mentions “You know I draw very well, I love drawing trees, flowers, house, etc.” Soon she is overcome by her current tragedy and repents “Why did the notorious people take away my hand.”
Could not able to answer daughter’s question her father leaves to shed tears. Sambhu narrates when in hospital Poulami used to cry he would console her saying, “I would get a new hand for you.” However, Sambhu becomes helpless after knowing the cost of prosthetic or artificial hand’s costs.
Searching her father Poulami came to the room and said, “Baba…when will you buy the new hand for me” Unable to meet her daughter’s eye, Sambhu flee in hurry.
Appeal:
So, will Poulami be deprived of an artificial hand because her father is sick with a neuro problem? Does she have to adopt hiding her left hand because her mother is economically weak? Or she would continue lifelong being a victim of the political violence? Can we afford to paint a world of despair to a 7 years old child?
With such questions peeping in my fatherly mind, I called Anandabazar Patrika and by the grace of God – got Poulami’s mother Smt. Deepali Halder’s no. After speaking with her I learnt the followings:
Poulami’s new hand: They have gone to Endolite based on Govt. hospital’s Dr’s recommendation. This prosthetic company is also endorsed by couple of medical practitioner I spoke to in Chennai. The new hand will last for another 10 years. Every 3 years the fingers will be replaced. Movable fingers would be 3 out of the 5. At the age of 18 as she becomes adult and growth stabilizes, she will need another prosthetic hand.
Have a look on the attached documents too.
The Cost: Overall expenses including the finger replacement in the next 10 years would be a total of Rs. 2 lakhs 85 thousand. The family have ordered the hand and in need of the amount within the next 30 days.
The Need: The family has manged to gather and collect Rs. 1 lakh 25 thousand. There have been many promises from rich and resourceful men of the society but yet to materialize. They still need Rs. 1 lakh 60 thousand to gift this kid her hand back.
I have done my bit. However, it is not enough and hence I request you to please consider gifting this kid her hand back by your benevolent help. You may transfer the amount to her parent’s account as mentioned below.
If you know Bengali, you can directly speak with Poulami’s parent at 70290 20898. However, for any further queries and confirmation of credit of your donation – please feel free to reach out to me.
Let’s show Poulami that this world is full of hope, love and smiles.
Regards,
Saunak
Translated article mentioning the incident:
“When are you going to get my new hand” a question from a daughter to a helpless father…..
She has lost her left hand, is so simple to say but this seven years kid is still yet to come to terms. Rather she is praying daily to the God to get back her hand……
Many a time she is trying to hold the colour pencil packet, books with her left hand, then often getting dis-balanced while getting up on the bed, her eyes getting wet when she is not able put saree for her doll with one hand. With the right hand on her forehead she continues praying to the All Mighty, “oh god, please return my hand.”
This tragic incident occurred on 20th April 2018. This year Panchayat (rural local bodies) election in the West Bengal claimed 13 lives along with violent political clashes. As the political violence spread across the state, Sambhu Halder’s family also did not escaped. On the morning of the fateful day, during her daily routine task of plucking flower, assuming it to be a toy, a bomb was picked up by his daughter Poulami.
On seeing her with the bomb in hand, her father and grandfather cried aloud “throw it immediately.” Poulami at once threw it, but within a second there was an explosion. A blinding light and a terrible sound. Unconscious in a pool of blood lay little Poulami. Even after six weeks of the incident, Police is clueless on the source of the bombs. Political parties continue the allegation and counter allegation games.
It took three timely surgery at the R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata to save Poulami’s life. However, she lost the portion below her left elbow forever. Now, she hides the left hand swathed in bandages from all. She murmurs “Will never go to pluck flowers”
Poulami lives at Goplapur village, near Haroa, North 24 Paraganas district in West Bengal. She studies in the 3rd standard and her elder sister is in the 8th standard. Her father Sambhu is sick with neuro problem for last one year and unable to run her vegetable shop. Her mother Deepali Halder runs the family by tailoring.
Smt. Deepali laments, “Poulami awakes up in the mid night out of pain, and cries what is the use of growing up with one hand !” Deepali not allowing her younger daughter to go out of sight for a moment now. Sitting on mother’s lap Poulami mentions “You know I draw very well, I love drawing trees, flowers, house, etc.” Soon she is overcome by her current tragedy and repents “Why did the notorious people take away my hand.”
Could not able to answer daughter’s question her father leaves to shed tears. Sambhu narrates when in hospital Poulami used to cry he would console her saying, “I would get a new hand for you.” However, Sambhu becomes helpless after knowing the cost of prosthetic or artificial hand’s costs.
Searching her father Poulami came to the room and said, “Baba…when will you buy the new hand for me” Unable to meet her daughter’s eye, Sambhu flee in hurry.
Appeal:
So, will Poulami be deprived of an artificial hand because her father is sick with a neuro problem? Does she have to adopt hiding her left hand because her mother is economically weak? Or she would continue lifelong being a victim of the political violence? Can we afford to paint a world of despair to a 7 years old child?
With such questions peeping in my fatherly mind, I called Anandabazar Patrika and by the grace of God – got Poulami’s mother Smt. Deepali Halder’s no. After speaking with her I learnt the followings:
Poulami’s new hand: They have gone to Endolite based on Govt. hospital’s Dr’s recommendation. This prosthetic company is also endorsed by couple of medical practitioner I spoke to in Chennai. The new hand will last for another 10 years. Every 3 years the fingers will be replaced. Movable fingers would be 3 out of the 5. At the age of 18 as she becomes adult and growth stabilizes, she will need another prosthetic hand.
Have a look on the attached documents too.
The Cost: Overall expenses including the finger replacement in the next 10 years would be a total of Rs. 2 lakhs 85 thousand. The family have ordered the hand and in need of the amount within the next 30 days.
The Need: The family has manged to gather and collect Rs. 1 lakh 25 thousand. There have been many promises from rich and resourceful men of the society but yet to materialize. They still need Rs. 1 lakh 60 thousand to gift this kid her hand back.
I have done my bit. However, it is not enough and hence I request you to please consider gifting this kid her hand back by your benevolent help. You may transfer the amount to her parent’s account as mentioned below.
If you know Bengali, you can directly speak with Poulami’s parent at 70290 20898. However, for any further queries and confirmation of credit of your donation – please feel free to reach out to me.
Let’s show Poulami that this world is full of hope, love and smiles.
Regards,
Saunak
