Vaishali Shinde has always been a fighter. After charging rival citadels while wielding a hockey stick as centre-forward to belting a cricket ball to the boundary, she now takes guard to face life's sternest challenge. The 20-year-old former State hockey player lost her legs in a rail accident four months ago but has accepted her predicament with exemplary resilience. Vaishali is in Pune, visiting Apang Seva to have `short peg' legs fitted. Vaishali will be in the city for a month, accompanied by her father, assistant police inspector Baburao Shinde of SRPF Gr 12 and mother. DS Negi of Apang Seva, Wanowrie Gaon, who manufactures artificial limbs, said that fixing full size German legs would depend on how soon Vaishali learns to balance herself on the shorter artificial legs.The only stumbling block, however, is money. The financial crunch - entailing expenses amounting to Rs 3.52 lakh is more than Vaishali's parents can dream of. Just Rs 50,000 has been collected from individuals and trusts inMaharashtra - thanks to a report by this newspaper that had inspired donations.None of the State or District sports bodies have come forward to help the sportswoman. Meanwhile, a city-based non-government organisation (NGO), RESCUE has offered to organise an variety entertaintment show to raise funds. Those willing to be part of the effort may contact Thambi Iyer (411973, 770092), Dr Shiv Ram Bongiri (5880833/5882028), Faiza Poonawalla (635053), Shashank Divekar (679881) or Abid Pathan (650306).
