A web of darkness ...!

That morning I was in the office of the Charity Commissioner in Pune. I wanted to get a certificate from the Voice of Media, a nationwide association of journalists. Everyone who came to Charity Commissioner Sudhir Bukke Sir was bringing their own or the organization's problems. Bukke Sir was listening to those problems and solving them. There were so many kinds of people coming there.

Listening to the problem told by one person, Bukke Sir and I had no idea on that problem.

I decided to meet that person comfortably. The time of the visit was also fixed immediately.

I took certificates from Bukke Sir, Tidke Sir, Jagtap Sir, Chavan Sir and leave from that place and left with that person. At ‘Yewalewadi’ near Pune, We both reached the 'Dr. Minu Mehta Disability Cooperative Industrial Producers Association Limited.'

The person I came here with was Raju Chaudhary (9371152737). Chaudhary is the secretary of the organization. He also called the president of the society Prakash Patil (9373033716). The three of us sat talking. Many serious topics came up from the talk.

The institution in which I was sitting was called ‘Dr. Minu Mehta' understands that the organization has a long history. However, today, due to globalization, inflation, government apathy, the present and future of this organization is in trouble. In the year 1987, The organization was founded by Dr. Jal Mehta. The incidence of leprosy was very high then. The purpose of this organization was to cure the lepers, to train them to work there, to work there.

Since then till today more than twenty five thousand lepers have been cured through this organization and after working here they have settled in Pune.

Patil said: "I got leprosy when I was ten. The doctor who came to check on me told me this. When I told my mother when I got home, she started crying. When I went to the institute with the help of a friend, my mother would not let me go. Leprosy was called 'leprosy'. I came to this institution. I got treatment, training and got a job here. I got married to Kamal Patil. Kamal also had leprosy. She also works in the same organization. This organization has cured thousands of people like me and raised them to life. However, today is the time for the same organization to start whining. "

In this regard, Chaudhary began to elaborate: "Many leprous men and women work here and fill their stomachs. The rest of the work involves many hands. Now their work is closed. This raises the question of whether life itself stops. Our work had been shut down for eight months since the Corona epidemic began. Even then, as usual, the organization used to receive electricity bills while it was working, and even during the recent shutdown, it received a bill of Rs. 1 lakh per month. Since then, a bill of Rs 15 lakh has been received. All jammed. Eating disorders. We were ready to pay what was one lakh rupees in the account of the organization; But the MSEDCL official cut off the power without listening to us. All the patients here make 148 types of Tata Motors spare parts here. The work of making those spare parts is stalled even at the present time when the corona is under control. It's dark everywhere now. "

"So what do these people eat?" I asked.

He said: "Many are old. Who will give jobs to people who are rejected by the society and do not have fingers and toes? Many work as watchmen in many places. "

This is a colony of leprosy patients in Antulenagar, Minu Mehtanagar area.

Patil said: "I have corresponded with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar many times in this regard. We also met Chief Engineer Sachin Talewar, Prakash Raut and Rajendra Pawar; But there is no solution to our problem. "

It is true that those who did not have fingers and toes made gold out of their labor; But this gold was not getting a price due to the corona and continuous closure. From Mother Teresa to Britain's Queen Elizabeth, I learned from the chat that many had visited the organization and appreciated its work. I was allowed to see all the old photographs, clippings and diary entries.

All the leprosy patients who were rejected by the society in Pune. Accepted by Jal Mehta and Baba Amte in 'Anandvan', they were erected. No more Dr. Jal Mehta and no more Baba Amte. Won't you and I come forward to wipe away the tears of these mourners? This institution is cursed by nature and lagged behind by the government. Will this dilemma ever be solved?

I also went to Patil's house. Rohan and Riteish came running to his grandson doing 'Baba, Baba'. Rohan put a biscuit in his grandfather's mouth. Grandpa literally swallowed that biscuit. The thought came to my mind that if the coals in the house of his co-workers were not lit, then what would be the taste of this grandfather's tongue! We took leave of Patil and left for Mumbai. There were many questions in mind. On the way out, Bukke Sir got a call. I told them all the circumstances.

Sir said: "Many institutions are in a very bad state because of this corona. I was numb by the many incidents narrated by Chaudhary. It must have happened to you too ...! "

~Sandip Kale

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