She was abandoned in our doorstep by her own mother…
 Udavum Karangal stood up to a mother’s trust! Pappa Vidyaakar
recalls. On a sunny morning in April 2001 a poor woman
approached him with an unusual request. She wanted to leave her
six-month-old baby girl who had a big hump at her back, at
Udavum Karangal for further care. As Udavum Karangal do not
encourage mothers surrendering their babies, the woman was
counselled about the importance of the baby being looked after
by its own mother, and assured her of financial support for
treating the baby. The woman looked convinced and left saying
“after admitting my child in hospital I will come back to you”.
But the volunteers were taken by surprise when late in the night
they heard a baby’s loud cry outside the office. The mother had
abandoned the baby at the doorstep and vanished. The baby was in
pain. Vidyaakar says “when I picked her up in my arms, I decided
that somehow I should save this baby”. “The mother chose to
leave the child in my door step instead of a dustbin, because
she believed that some how the baby would be saved if left in
Udavum Karangal’s care”
Udavum Karangal volunteers wasted no time in getting the child
admitted in Apollo Hospital. Dr. Radha Rajagogpal,
Director-Medical Education, of Apollo Hospital, took personal
interest in little “Meenakshi” (that is what the volunteers
named her) and over the days performed three complicated
surgeries to remove the life threatening huge hump which was
right on her lower spine. Little Meenakshi survived! She was
relieved of the pain.
But trouble was not over for the cute little girl. Though the
dangerous tumor was removed successfully, she was left without
movement below waist. She couldn’t stand or walk. Her beautiful,
expressive eyes at time wore a sad look when other children
played gaily around her.
Dr. Radha Rajagopal and Apollo Hospital once again came in
rescue of Meenakshi. She underwent two more surgeries a month
back, and to everyone’s surprise Meenakshi is able to stand on
her own. According to the doctor she would be able to walk and
run like any other child within a few months time. Beautiful
Meenu is full of life, her eyes says how grateful she is to
every one who supported her!
 “Today we owe a debt of gratitude to Apollo hospital, especially
to the team of doctors, says Pappa Vidyaakar
“Miracles do happen when some one cares”
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