They survived the bomb blasts that shook the city a year ago,but their bodies are still embedded with bomb splinters. A slight exertion or even a change in the weather causes pain and reminds them of the loss they have made. With pain piercing through their bodies,carrying 35 to 40 splinters,some have given up their jobs and professions and are looking for ways to survive with dignity. Those who were stuck with fewer splinters are struggling with their work. Most of the survivors are still undergoing treatment. Incidentally,majority of the victims who died or survived of the bomb blasts in the city belonged to the lower middle class and were small time workers. Unfortunately,most of them were also the sole breadwinners of their families. However,while the relatives of the victims who died in the blasts have received Rs 11.5 lakh as compensation,the survivors have been paid only Rs 50,000 till date. Many of them have taken loans to feed the family and bear the treatment costs,which have continued for many. Mahesh Solanki and Bhupat Chavda are among the lucky ones who could get back their jobs. One is an operation theatre in-charge at the Cancer Research Institute while the other is a driver with the institute. It is difficult to manage work. I cannot pick up anything heavy and cannot adjust the position of the patients, said Solanki. The doctors have told Manu Solanki,an electrician,that his feet will take another six months to recuperate. Solanki was injured in the powerful blast outside the Trauma Centre at the Civil Hospital. Splinters in his feet and hands dont allow him to do wiring work or even fix a screw. It is a struggle to make both ends meet for my six-member family. I cannot go out to work or even to the hospital in this rain as I also need to protect my feet from water and mud, said Solanki. I make some money only once in 10 days, he said. Kamlesh Thakor earned a living by washing cars prior to the blasts. His work has been on hold as his hands are still recovering from the burns even as splinters cause terrible pain in his body every now and then. He has a 15-member family to support besides buying medicines for him. Bachu Baghubhai married two months before the blasts. He supported his family by driving a rented auto-rickshaw. He had taken a passenger to the Civil Hospital when a blast took place at the hospital. He sustained severe burn injuries and several sharpnel got embedded in his body. He still applies medicines every night to relieve himself of the pain. He dares to drive some times when his friends are around to help him start the auto rickshaw for him. However,most of the times,he is unable to work at all.
