User:Sparsh Srivastava/sandbox

God might have taken away my looks, but he's more than made up. He has given me such gifted hands, I am really skilled with my hands. ________________________________________ DR PREMA DHANRAJ - R. SHIVAJI RAO I don't mind being burnt again, and again and again," says Dr Prema Dhanraj. "I would happily go through this life all over again, God has been really kind to me." In anyone else such holy gratitude would be looked at with suspicion. After all it isn't like it's a tan, a breakout of acne, or dark circles. Her face is taut in places, twisted in others, wrinkled, stretched and scarred. But when you sit across Dr Prema Dhanraj, HoD, Department of Plastic Surgery, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, what really strikes you is how comfortable she is in her skin. When she talks, you listen, when she laughs, you laugh with her. And what you remember is her grace, her courage, and her love of life. At the age of eight, a stove burst in Prema's face resulting in 50 per cent burns. She was so burnt, that her neck had melted and her chin was touching her chest. For two days surgeons at the Christian Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Vellore, struggled to put the oxygen tube down her throat without which an operation was not possible. Prayer and... a promise While Prema was battling death, her mother, Rosie Stella Dhanraj, sent up a prayer from the little church at the hospital. She promised not only to make a plastic surgeon out of her daughter, but also make sure she served the same hospital, if only God let her live. Keeping that promise wasn't easy. Not for Prema. Not for her mother. "There were times when I would cry and cry. I didn't want to study," remembers Prema. Schoolmates would shun her and call her `the devil'. But she had a choice to make as the oldest — she could be dependent on her siblings, or make them proud of her. "My mother never forced me to do anything. She'd just make the options very clear." Prema never saw a mirror during those days. The look of horror, the repulsion and pity on people's face didn't make sense. When she took the bus people would freeze on the steps. "It was almost funny," she says. "I was always worried they'd keep standing there and I would miss my bus," she laughs. One of the difficult choices Prema made was to stop all surgery. First, medical science in the late 1960s wasn't what it is today. And then, after 14 reconstructive surgeries, Prema simply wanted to get on with life and she did. After earning a graduation and an MBBS, she went to work at CMCH, Vellore, under Dr L.B.M. Joseph, the very same surgeon who had treated her! In her 26-year career Prema has collected many accolades. Recently she received the "Triumph of Human Spirit Award" from the Rotary Club of Ambattur, Chennai. She has travelled around the world, taught plastic surgeons in Norway, Kenya and Tanzania. She has not only trained Ethiopia's first plastic surgeon but is currently also setting up its first burns unit. Skilled helping hands "God might have taken away my looks, but he's more than made up. He has given me such gifted hands, I am really skilled with my hands," she says, snapping a finger to show how fast she is. Today as a leading plastic surgeon, Prema sees scores of patients. And if you presume that she might scoff at those who come to get that nose a little straighter, the breasts a little bigger or smaller, you are wrong. "I know how serious even pimples can be. It might not be for you and me, but who are we to judge what it means to someone else. I can't dismiss any complaint, because I know how much I craved for little, little things," she says. In India, as elsewhere, there is considerable social stigma for girls with small breasts or breasts that are too large, she says. It leads to a lot of emotional and psychological trauma. Today the technology, the medical knowledge and skill that wasn't available to Prema when she needed it, is at her fingertips. Sharing courage Prema also does a considerable amount of reconstructive surgery, particularly for the `Smile Train' project that does free cleft lip and cleft palate operations. She has also started a small foundation called Agni Raksha in Bangalore. It is for burn victims to come together, earn some income through handwork, but more importantly to meet people like them. "It's nice to know that you are not alone. That there might be others who are worse off." Her courage, her strength she ascribes to her mother. During all the years, Prema has never seen her cry. "I knew she had cried, her eyes would be red and swollen when she'd come out from the prayer room. God's given me such a wonderful family, I don't mind going through everything all over again, if I can also be born into the same family. If I can still be the same person today," she says. Prema's mother is no more, but she did live to see her become a doctor. She shares a close bond with her siblings who she says are really proud of her achievements. "They tell me, we are jealous you are winning awards every other day," she says. For Prema there's a lot to do. For starters extend Agni Raksha's work. There is also talking about herself and being photographed. She doesn't squirm, she's as conscious as anyone else. In fact less because her face is actually an inspiration to many. When patients want too much, are too depressed, Prema says her juniors bring them to look at her. "I tell them look at my face, it can't be worse than this." But looking good is important. "They tell me I am the best dressed person in the hospital. And I live up to the compliment. When actresses can do so much to themselves, can't you and I be the best we can?" Dr Prema Dhanraj doesn't hold the smallest grudge against fate, because she doesn't need to. She is the best she can be. Agni Raksha is at 13th Main, JP Nagar Ist Phase, Bangalore - 560078. Prema Dhanraj Head of the Department of plastic and reconstructive surgery at CMC, Vellore "At the age of eight Prema Dhanraj was burnt when the stove burst on which she was making coffee. Admitted to Christian Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Vellore, with 50 per cent burns. Her mother prayed to God  "If you save my child, I vow to dedicate her to the service of your people. I will make her a doctor and work in this same hospital." Prema survived. Renowned surgeon, Dr. L.B.M. Joseph, reconstructed every inch of Prema's face. Prema returned to Bangalore to resume school after six months in the hospital. Her scarred face attracted attention, school was never the same again. Completed high school privately. "My family had hidden all the mirrors in the house. Only after a year I happened to catch a reflection of my face in a mirror. I cried. I was angry. I threw tantrums. My mother waited patiently for my tears to dry." Then she told Prema, "This is your face and you will have to live with it. No one can change that. But what you do with your life is in your hands and only you can change it." It was a hard lesson to learn. And it took her a long time to grasp its meaning. "I barely scraped through my Class 10 exams," Prema reminisces. "But the fact that I cleared my exams gave me immense confidence." She obtained a B.Sc. degree from the Arts and Science College, Bangalore. Prema admits, "Those were the most difficult years of my life — academically and socially."  Between 1965 and 1971, Prema underwent 14 reconstructive surgeries before she put an end to it. "It was time for me to concentrate on other things in life."  Obtained her MBBS degree from Hubli Medical College and in 1980;  went to work at CMCH, Vellore, under Joseph. It was a defining moment in both their lives.Specialized in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from CMC, Ludhiana, and returned to CMCH in 1989 as a surgeon, thus fulfilling her mother's promise to God. Prema is known as one of the most successful surgeons in the medical fraternity, with a success rate of 99 per cent. Received many awards. She is helping set up the first burns unit in Ethiopia, which has the maximum number of burns victims in the world. Prema was invited by the Ethiopian and Norwegian authorities to train doctors in Ethiopia and she trained Ethiopia's first plastic surgeon. She has also pioneered a programme in collaboration with U.S. — the "Smile Train" project — where all patients with cleft lip and cleft palate will be given free treatment at CMC, Vellore. Embarked on an ambitious project called Agni Raksha - an organization that would treat and help burns victims in India. Prema's advice to all those who feel defeated in life: Stop comparing yourself with others. Be willing to face reality and move on in life. Develop a cheerful attitude. Be humble and trust in God. Then sit back and enjoy life." Prema dhanraj at cmc hospital VELLORE: The Head, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, CMC Hospital, Prema Dhanraj successfully removed the biggest tumour ever recorded in medical history on Thursday. The six-and-a-half hours marathon surgery brought cheer to the life of 24-year-old Bhekizitha Sibanda from Harare in Zimbabwe. The previous biggest tumour found in the world was 10 times smaller than this one, according to Dr. Prema. The unusually large tumour, described in medical parlance as "extremely severe elephantiasis-neurofibromatosis", involved the peri-orbital, temporal regions and the right side of the face, which disfigured and distorted the right side due to involvement of both the soft tissue and the underlying skeleton. All that is now a thing of the past, as the plastic surgeon was able to remove a major portion of the tumour weighing eight kg, 56-cm long and 87-cm in circumference, leaving just 1.5 kg on his face. Explaining how she performed the operation, Dr. Prema Dhanraj told reporters here on Friday that it took about two hours for her to insert the tubes in his body, before commencing the surgery, which was done after administering general anaesthesia. After removing the tumour, she used the good skin on the tumour to close the hole left by the operation, through plastic surgery. She also performed reconstructive surgery to restore the nose and mouth to their normal position. Six attempts were made by hospitals in Zimbabwe to remove the tumour, but all failed since the patient bled profusely. Mr. Bhekizitha is now in the intensive care unit and is likely to be discharged after 20 days. Recontruction hope Agni Raksha devotes itself to burns victims, who need expert and expensive reconstructive surgery, besides counselling and emotional support. Women are often the victims, battling both physical and emotional scars, and forced by circumstances to return to the very husbands who inflicted the damage Rekha, 28, moves stiffly, covering  her horribly disfigured face with a shawl. One of the fortunate few  to survive deep burns all over her body, she lives in constant pain   and fear. Her burnt skin and underlying tissues have contracted, causing  deep scars. Strictures in her arms, legs and neck make each movement  painful. Once a happy, healthy young woman, Rekha now hides in her home  fearing horrified stares from strangers. During a quarrel, Rekha’s  alcoholic husband had set her on fire. Compelled by poverty, lack of  education and societal pressures, she returned from hospital to live   with the same man. “There are many burns survivors  like Rekha, who shy away from facing life for complex reasons,” says   social worker Chitra who manages Agni Raksha, a Bangalore-based NGO   that helps burns victims. “We try to address their physical as well  as emotional problems and seek ways of rehabilitating them into mainstream   society. Their concerns are rarely explored by policymakers and researchers.” In 1965, a little girl suffered  a fire accident. Years of physical and mental trauma and many painful  reconstructive surgeries later, she grew up to be Dr Prema Dhanraj,   Professor and Head of Plastic Surgery at CMC, Vellore. Dr Prema founded  Agni Raksha in 1999. This Bangalore-based NGO assists burns victims  by providing reconstructive plastic surgery. While assisting burns victims  with medical treatment, this charitable organisation also strives to   ease their emotional trauma by providing a warm, friendly environment   where they can learn to become economically productive. Medical care,  home nursing, physiotherapy, counselling and occupational therapy are   combined and offered free of charge to help rehabilitate victims into   mainstream society. They are currently managing with their own resources  and individual donations. “Rehabilitation of burns  survivors is a complex process,” says Chitra, who is inspired by her   courageous elder sister, Dr Prema Dhanraj. “They are traumatised and  suffer from depression. Most burns victims are women from poorer families. Many are victims of homicidal attacks by their husbands. Male burns  victims are fewer in number, mainly victims of industrial accidents   and chemicals burns. At Agni Raksha, all are welcomed and treated with  affectionate care.” Burns cause severe damage to  the body and spirit of the victim. The damage often extends to internal  organs such as the muscles, eyes, bones and reproductive organs. “Reconstructive plastic surgery  can make their limbs freer, repair damage to other organs of the body   and enable them to work and lead a more normal life,” says Dr Mahesh   A, assistant professor and head of the department of plastic surgery   at the Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College in Bangalore. He provides voluntary  care to burns victims at Agni Raksha. “Reconstructive surgery can  also give them a more normal and pleasing appearance, thus increasing   their self-confidence and self-image. Yet such complex surgeries are  beyond the means of poor burns victims.” The ‘before’ and ‘after’   photos of Dr Mahesh’s patients at Agni Raksha stand testimony to the   change wrought by surgery.

“This is a vast and complex  social issue,” says Chitra. “We cannot be judgemental and there  are no clear-cut solutions to their problems.” These burnings are   often perpetrated in the heat of the moment after a violent quarrel. The men are often alcoholics who lash back when their wives upbraid  them for the habit. Nagaraj, 38, a petty shopkeeper, who comes to Agni  Raksha for treatment, is a polite and soft-spoken man to all appearances. His hand was severely burnt when he tried to immolate his wife after  a petty drunken quarrel. He still cannot control his urges and continues  drinking. The case of the women is truly  tragic. Social conditioning, lack of family support, lack of education  and financial independence and their own fears and trauma, force many   women burn victims to return to the very husbands and families who set   them on fire. These women are frightened and unhappy, yet they have  few choices. They approach Agni Raksha seeking solace, friendship and  peer support. Seema, 22, a data entry operator, who took her baby and  left the husband who had attacked her is “one among a thousand cases”,   says Chitra. “She does not want to return to her violent husband. Yet she is under constant family pressure to return.” Children have often watched  their fathers setting their mothers on fire. Sometimes the children  also get burnt while trying to save their mothers, adding to the magnitude   of the tragedy. Burns reconstructive surgeries  are expensive, time-consuming and require a high degree of surgical   skill. Private hospitals and the doctors and surgeons qualified to treat  them, prefer to concentrate on the more lucrative and glamorous areas   of plastic surgery, Dr Mahesh points out. The majority of burns victims  are poor and cannot afford reconstructive surgery. Affordable medical care is  provided for burns victims at government-run facilities. However, due  to lack of resources, hospitals cannot offer burns victims individualised   attention for their emotional trauma and related problems. A long-term  holistic approach is needed for their full physical and emotional recovery   and assimilation into mainstream society. Burns patients who do survive  after treatment in government burns care facilities often do not continue   their treatment after discharge from hospital due to lack of motivation   and extreme poverty. They languish as invalids at home. This is where Agni Raksha can  help. Take the case of Prema, 31, who was given minimal chances of survival. Opting to spend the last days with her family, she miraculously survived,  but with severe deformities. At Agni Raksha, she met others like herself,  and gained friendship and courage. After several rounds of complicated  surgeries by Dr Mahesh, she regained free movement of her limbs and   her appearance improved dramatically. Today she helps with the accounts  at Agni Raksha and counsels other burns victims. [I](Names of all burns victims  have been changed to protect their identities)[/I] [I](Monideepa Sahu is a Bangalore-based  freelance writer of both fiction and non-fiction, with a variety of   interests including social issues and literature)[/I] Prema’s friend Su freelance. I met her around nine years ago. She has been an inspiration to me all along. I never miss an opportunity to talk or write about her. When I don’t share her story with others, I feel I am denying people something precious to behold in their lives.

She was only nine-year’s old when the Creator decided to launch her on a journey of fame, success and glory. All three would come much later in life, but the voyage was to begin at the appointed time and hour. And so, it did. This is story of my friend Dr.Prema Dhanraj. Prema was a beautiful child. She was an all rounder in school. For a nine-year old she was unusually independent. That evening, she came back home from school, early. She was humming. It was a song that she was going to sing at the competition the next day. The lyrics in her head danced to the music in her mouth. Her mother was at the neighbor’s and the housekeeper wasn’t around. SO Prema deicded to boil herself a glass of milk. She lit the old fashioned pumping gas stove on the floor. Prema was still humming the song when the stove burst. It was the beginning of her pilgrimage in life. Flames licked her face. She closed her eyes into painful slits and cried out. Her ears, which were fast melting into a mass of flesh, were deaf to her screams. The raging flames eating her face –forehead, nose, eyes, cheeks, mouth -drowned her cries. Fast forward. In the next five years Prema underwent 14 painful surgeries. The doctors at CMC, Vellore meticulously reconstructed her face, but it was never the same again. It turned into a face that made people on the road stop and stare. “People would gape in shock or quickly look away, embarrassed by may distorted face,” she would tell me later. Now, she is oblivious to such reactions. Today, decades later, Prema is the head of the department of Reconstructive and Plastic surgery, CMC, Vellore –the same hospital where she battled for life eons ago. She is a world renowned surgeon whose expertise and knowledge in the field is sought after by leading hospitals in Europe and Africa. She travels across the globe helping people set up burn units. She is considered a surgeon par excellence. She performs numerous surgeries every day. She springs hope, where there is none. From dawn to dusk she makes sure that she uses every opportunity that comes her way, makes her talents count in life. Now, she is spending her time, energy and money in setting up Agniraksha –an organization that will help under privileged burn victims. “God has blessed me abundantly, I just want to give something back to the world,” she says. I look at her and I am in awe of her. While I was thinking of all the things she lost in life because of her accident she was counting her blessings in life! I look at her again. The face reminds you of a beauty lost, but also reflects a beauty beyond words. The face still makes people do a double take, but it also spells hope for hundreds of them. My friend’s face is scarred; yet serene. Most importantly, hers is a happy face. How did she come this far and climb this high in life with no rancor or rage? How did she negotiate the treacherous curves in life? “My looks never came in the way of my education or achieving what I wanted to,” she had told me. But that’s not the truth. What’s true is that Prema did not ALLOW her looks to come in the way of living her life the way she wanted to. Of course she did not reach that place of comfort overnight. It was a long and arduous journey. “My mother taught me to channelise my anger and bitterness into something positive,” she says. She told me, “You have got to live with this face for the rest of your life. It is up to you to decide to whether you want to live happily or not.”'Bold text'Bold text Bad things do happen to good people. We have no control over certain events that might occur in our lives –somebody is diagnosed with a terrible ailment or somebody loses a family or a limb or goes through a painful divorce –we cannot plan for these things in life. One day we are fine and the next, we are given the biggest blow in life. What happens? Life continues –we wake up in the morning, we eat, we breathe, we live; there are bills to be paid, families to be taken care of and work to be done. Life continues, as it did yesterday and the day before. Yet we are left standing with a cross to bear. What do we do? I would say do what my friend Prema did. She says, “There were times when I asked God, `Why me?” But now I am beginning to think that if I hadn’t had this accident, I wouldn’t have achieved so much in life. I wouldn’t have reached out to so many people. I have come to accept that His ways are mysterious and it is best not to fight Him. Today, I have reached a stage where I think my accident has been a blessing disguise –to me and many people out there.” One never knows when we will be catapulted on our special journey in life. The question is, do we make the journey fighting with ourselves and the Creator, every inch of the way, filled with bitterness, anger, fear and frustration, or do we play along and make the journey as peaceful, happy and useful as possible? The choice is ours. And the journey is a must!

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