Pain eases, it8217;s a special day!

PUNE, Oct 30: Terminally ill. That is how neighbours describe Kamal Gaikwad 63 as she sits in her house near Gawli wada near Taboot str...

PUNE, Oct 30: Terminally ill. That is how neighbours describe Kamal Gaikwad 63 as she sits in her house near Gawli wada near Taboot street. Today all that changed when a new visitor entered her humble house and chatted her up. Shashi Kapoor has come visiting, in the city to meet those who share Kamal8217;s fate.

8220;Come take photos,8221; Kapoor says as the kids throng to him. Out rushes a toothless Ramabai, nearly 60 years of age as she wants to see this 8220;Kapoor who is so fat now,8221; the smile refusing to lessen in depth or size. For Komal, neighbours say, this was a special day. She got up at 6 am and put on her special saree to meet her hero.

For Kapoor who immediately connected with the cancer patients, this is a journey close to his heart. 8220;I lost many family members including my wife to cancer, 8221; he tells Parvati Inamdar 60 a mid wife in Gultekdi. She stopped practising when she was diagnosed with cancer. The pain became the sole reality of her life till city-based NGO, the Care India stepped in.

The Care India Medical Society has been at the forefront of providing relief to terminally ill patients and help distribute morphine tablets to alleviate the pain of the terminally ill patients. They have also been busy spreading awareness about the causes of cancer and the the benefits of early detection.

According to N S Nyayapathi, director of the Care India, the idea is to promote awareness about cancer and care for those who are terminally ill as the costs are prohibitive.

Komal8217;s neighbour, Romana Fernandes points out that her cancer was detected six years back. Even after surgery the tumour reappeared till the doctors at Inlaks Budhrani Hospital gave up hope. 8220;They suggested that Komal be admitted to CIPLA Hospital at Warje, but then we heard about the Care India who have helped us take care of Komal.8221;

In the evening patients were felicitated by the foundation at the hands of chief guest Arun Firodia as they recounted their experiences of their battle with cancer. According to Dr Madhuri Nyayapathi, this was a valuable feedback for the organisation. 8220;This enables us to look after our patients better,8221; she said. Later, Shashi Kapoor and Dr Jal Mehta were inducted as patrons of the foundation.