Category Archives: Uncategorized

Organized loot of Indian Pharma Industries, Retailers and the Government

Posted on by
Reply

My liver transplant was performed in November 2020, and I have been on a specific regimen of medication ever since. My body recognizes the new organ as a foreign object, so my immune system could potentially attack it at any time. To prevent this, my doctors have prescribed immunosuppressive medications. I take two different immunosuppressant drugs and a steroid that acts as an anti-rejection medication. These drugs are Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate, and Prednisolone. The most common brand of Mycophenolate worldwide is Cellcept, produced by Roche.

Initially, my doctors prescribed Cellcept, but I experienced side effects including upset stomach and headaches. Consequently, they discontinued it. Since my transplant, I’ve primarily relied on Tacrolimus and Prednisolone. However, during the past four years, I’ve had occasional infections requiring Mycophenolate. While the standard brand is Cellcept, I’ve been taking Mycofit S, produced by the Indian company Intas Pharmaceuticals. Cellcept is available in 500mg and 250mg strengths, whereas Mycofit S comes in 360mg capsules.

Cellcept typically costs around ₹650-700 per strip of 10 tablets, with a print rate of ₹750. Some people report getting even better deals, purchasing it for as low as ₹550. Mycofit-S 360, on the other hand, has a print rate of ₹1,330 per strip of 10 tablets. Given this significant price difference, I’d aim for a substantial discount on Mycofit-S. A 30% discount would bring the price down to around ₹930, which is still higher than Cellcept but more reasonable. However, I’d personally negotiate for a discount closer to 40% to make it more comparable to Cellcept’s price range.

Due to their specialized nature, immunosuppressant medications can be difficult to find. Despite Varanasi having a large medicine market near BHU, I struggled to locate Mycophenolate last year. Eventually, I found a shop that carried Mycofit-S 360 and purchased it for ₹900 after a 30% discount. I was surprised by the price. Considering my previous experience with Cellcept, I anticipated a similar or lower cost for Mycofit-S 360. However, it was nearly twice as expensive.

Given the high print rate of ₹1,330, I initially accepted the ₹900 price without question. However, I had a gut feeling something was amiss. I contacted a friend who had also undergone a transplant and was taking Mycofit-S, but in the 500mg strength. To my surprise, he paid only ₹300 per strip, despite a similar print rate of around ₹1,400. This significant discrepancy between the print rate and the actual selling price was shocking.

My friend explained that these pharmacies often charge regular customers between ₹900 and ₹1000 for Mycofit-S 360. However, they offer significant discounts to repeat customers or those with personal connections. He introduced me to his pharmacy, where I’ve been purchasing Mycofit-S 360 for ₹275 per strip ever since. Incredibly, this pharmacy is located just 50 meters away from the one that initially overcharged me.

Print rate of Mycofit S 360

I purchased Mycofit-S from the new pharmacy for a month until my doctors determined it was no longer necessary. Unfortunately, my liver function tests have been unsatisfactory for the past month, and despite adjusting the medication dosage, my doctors have restarted Mycofit-S 360. I typically buy medications from the ILBS hospital pharmacy in New Delhi. However, to my surprise, they quoted me ₹850 per strip for Mycofit-S 360. ILBS is a semi-private hospital operated by the Delhi state government, where I expected to receive subsidized medicines.

Initially, I considered buying other medications at ILBS and purchasing Mycofit-S 360 in Varanasi upon my return. However, I was concerned about the availability of the drug in Varanasi and my deteriorating health, so I opted to buy it at the ILBS pharmacy for ₹850 per strip. Upon returning to Varanasi, I visited a local pharmacy and was shocked to find the same medication for ₹275 per strip. Questioning the drastic price difference, the shopkeeper claimed it was a coordinated exploitation by pharmaceutical companies, retailers, and the government.

He explained that pharmaceutical companies have free rein to set exorbitant prices, and there’s little to no oversight. They collaborate with retailers to create a deceptive marketing strategy. While companies sell medications at relatively low prices, retailers drastically inflate costs. These retailers can offer substantial discounts while still making enormous profits, keeping customers satisfied. Unsuspecting consumers believe they’re getting a great deal with a 30% discount, unaware that they’ve actually paid four times the reasonable price.

Mycofit S 360

India boasts a massive pharmaceutical industry with a stellar global reputation. However, this sector is also plagued by significant control issues. Contributing over 20% of the world’s pharmaceutical supply and meeting approximately 60% of global vaccine demand, India’s pharma industry is a cornerstone of healthcare. It supplies 40% of generic drugs to the US and a quarter of all medicines in the UK. Given its immense scale, it’s shocking to witness such a lack of oversight. This clearly indicates a substantial failure in government regulation.

It’s impossible to claim the government is oblivious to these unethical practices. They’re fully aware but seemingly indifferent to addressing the issue. Prime Minister Modi launched the Jan Aushadhi Kendra initiative to provide affordable, quality medicines. While offering generic alternatives at reduced costs, these centers unfortunately don’t stock all medications, including immunosuppressants. Had they done so, it would have been a game-changer for patients like me.

Life becomes prohibitively expensive after an organ transplant due to exorbitant medication costs and frequent hospital visits. Patients endure significant financial hardship, a reality that pharmaceutical companies seem to disregard. While pharmacies often overcharge, it’s essential to acknowledge the role of companies in setting inflated prices and the government’s failure to regulate the industry. Every patient I speak with expresses deep concern about the astronomical cost of their medications.

Immunosuppressive medications are a lifelong commitment, and I’ve observed that patients consistently seek ways to reduce costs. They explore different brands and alternatives to manage medication expenses, especially for Mycophenolate, the most expensive drug in the regimen. Exploiting the financial vulnerability of already suffering patients is unconscionable and must be stopped. However, considering the industry’s current practices, immediate hope for change seems elusive.

Contributed 300 books to a library

Posted on by
Reply

I have a friend in the US named Mr. Lane Rasberry, who is a social worker and data scientist by profession. I met him for the first time in 2007 when he was living in Varanasi to learn Hindi. We’ve been in touch ever since and have collaborated on many different projects. His dream was to establish a library in Varanasi for students. He contacted the Seattle Public Library to donate books for Varanasi students, and they generously provided almost 350 books covering a wide range of subjects, including science, math, geography, culture, and religion.

Books provided by Lane

He sent me a large consignment containing all the books and some other materials. The consignment arrived at the Kolkata port but promptly became entangled in a corrupt bureaucratic process. I received a call from someone at the Kolkata port office who informed me that my consignment could not be released because they had found offensive materials within it, violating Indian law. I inquired about the nature of these “offensive materials” and was told that they were materials related to sex education.

Books at the library of Lok Samiti

I laughed incredulously when I heard this. The irony was palpable: a country that gave the world the Kama Sutra and boasts erotic art in its sacred Hindu temples was now being told that sex education materials were prohibited. It was clear that this was just a pretext; there was something more sinister at play. He requested that I visit his office in Kolkata, but being preoccupied, I enlisted the help of my friends Babu and Marc.

They traveled to Kolkata the following day and met with the officer. The officer offered numerous excuses for withholding the consignment, primarily focusing on a few sex education chapters within a couple of books. It was astonishing to witness his meticulous examination of every page in those hundreds of books. If government officials consistently displayed such vigilance and integrity, India’s landscape would undoubtedly be transformed.

They excelled at their jobs when corruption and bribery were involved, but their competence vanished when it came to fulfilling their duties honestly. Babu and Marc contacted another officer who revealed that the “offensive material” was merely a pretext for a bribe. Seeking guidance on how to approach the officer, they were advised that a direct bribe request was unlikely and that they should instead contact the officer’s assistant.

Ultimately, they contacted the assistant who explicitly stated that the consignment would not be released without a bribe of Rs. 10,000. Despite Babu’s explanation that the books were destined for non-profit work, the assistant remained unyielding. Faced with no other recourse, they reluctantly paid the bribe, securing the release of the consignment. A subsequent courier service was engaged to transport the consignment to Varanasi, which arrived approximately a week later.

The next challenge was determining the library’s location. My home, with ample space and a ready demand, was a viable option. At that time, I was involved in an educational program for underprivileged children called “Chance India,” led by my Hungarian friend, Mr. Attila Csapo. As the program coordinator, I oversaw the education of 70 children—28 from the city and 42 from a village. These children were enrolled in the nearest English-medium schools to their homes.

Our village children were selected from an NGO called Lok Samiti, which operates a school named Asha Samajik Vidyalay. While the school has made significant progress, it still lacked many resources. Previously, it was merely a better alternative to no education at all. Despite having proper classes and teachers, the school required substantial improvements. We selected forty-two students from Asha Samajik Vidyalay and enrolled them in a proper English-medium school. Initially, I considered establishing the library at my home, but something held me back.

I realized that establishing a library at my home would limit the number of beneficiaries to perhaps the twenty-eight city children. Another potential location, Asha Samajik Vidyalay, lacked both a library and the necessary space. After discussing this with Nandlal Master, the coordinator of Lok Samiti, I learned that they were planning to open a library soon. Therefore, I decided to wait and donate the books to Lok Samiti once their library was operational.

Years passed without Lok Samiti realizing their library plans. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought everything to a standstill. My own health deteriorated, making for a challenging year. As normalcy gradually returned in 2023, Lok Samiti finally opened its library. The library was a collaborative effort, supported by individuals and organizations alike. Many former students of Lok Samiti contributed to its establishment.

I finally organized all the books and donated them to the library of Asha Samajik Vidyalay in Nagepur village, Varanasi, which is run by Lok Samiti. The school children had never seen such a diverse collection of books. Their enthusiasm for the new library was evident. Lane, Nandlal Master, and I were immensely gratified to see the books finally benefiting the community. Marc tragically passed away a few years ago from sudden liver failure. His joy at seeing these books become part of a proper library is undoubtedly immense, even in his absence. The library serves as a humble tribute to his invaluable contributions.

My next goal is to assist in establishing another library at an education center run by my friend, Mr. Amit Rajbhar. He operates special classes for children of kiln workers and also runs a school for children aged 5 to 15. I am hopeful about being able to contribute to this project as well.

Local newspaper also reported the story

Assistance for Children of Kiln Workers

Posted on by
Reply

I have a friend who is a social worker by profession and works with the children of kiln workers in Varanasi. The laborers who operate the kilns primarily come from rural or tribal areas of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. They migrate with their entire families to work sites in Uttar Pradesh and other regions. They reside at the construction sites in makeshift brick houses lacking cement plaster or a permanent roof. These homes are constructed by stacking bricks and using a tin sheet as a makeshift roof.

Mr. Amit Rajbhar with his wife

This is a seasonal job that begins in October after the monsoon ends and concludes in late June with the monsoon’s arrival. The work hours are demanding, with shifts starting at 10 PM and lasting until 4 PM the following day – an 18-hour workday. Workers typically take a short break, no longer than two hours, for meals during this period. Everyone in the family contributes, including young children as young as six or seven. While adults handle the primary tasks, children assist in various ways. With both parents working long hours, childcare and cooking fall primarily on the children.

Children of Kiln workers

Imagine enduring such grueling work hours under the open sky. The conditions are extreme. During March, April, May, and June, temperatures soar between 38 and 52 degrees Celsius (102 and 125 Fahrenheit). In contrast, December, January, and February bring frigid temperatures ranging from 35 to 5 degrees Celsius (95 to 40 Fahrenheit). The scorching heat, particularly in May, June, and July, is often accompanied by intense, deadly winds. Yet, these laborers are forced to toil under these inhumane conditions.

Look at their house in the background

My friend, Amit Rajbhar, has dedicated himself to working with the children of kiln workers. He strives to keep them engaged in productive activities. He runs a non-formal education center offering daily classes in basic subjects like math, Hindi, science, general knowledge, and hygiene. Amit’s goal is to create a brighter future for the next generation. He acknowledges that the immediate benefits for these children might be limited, but he believes his efforts will positively impact their children.

Brick making

Amit believes that educating these children will break the cycle of child labor. He shared a heartwarming story about a family he worked with in 2022. The following year, their children refused to return to work, expressing a desire to attend school instead. They asked their parents to continue working in Varanasi while they stayed with grandparents in their village to pursue education. This remarkable outcome exemplifies the positive impact of Amit’s work on breaking the cycle of child labor within a family.

Children of the kiln workers

I was familiar with Amit’s work but had never visited his site. When a guest expressed interest in helping underprivileged children, I decided to take her there. I was deeply shocked by the conditions and the children’s stories. It was late December, with temperatures around 10 degrees and cloudy skies. None of the children wore warm clothes or shoes, playing barefoot in the open.

Sweet distribution

I was heartbroken and struggled to hold back tears. Their stories haunted me, and I desperately wanted to help. Providing warm clothes and shoes seemed like an immediate need. I explored ways to raise funds for these essentials, including reaching out to my contacts. Unfortunately, despite promises from a few, I couldn’t secure the necessary funds. My efforts were met with constant setbacks.

I stayed in constant contact with Amit about the children. Their stories were constantly on my mind. I was determined to help them in 2023. The monsoon of 2023 finally arrived, and the families returned to their villages in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. Amit informed me about the start of kiln operations in Varanasi and the families’ expected return in late September. I visited them in late October and began planning a cloth supply for them.

I was thinking about whom to ask for help and suddenly a name clicked in my mind Mr. Amit Marathe whom I met in Varanasi in September 2023. He was an IT professional from Pune but was living in the US. I met with him when he was touring Varanasi and I worked with him as his guide in Varanasi and Ayodhya. I get to meet new people from all over the world but his name clicked in my mind first because of the kind of experience I had with him.

He came from a lower-middle-class family in Pune. His father drove a tuk-tuk. After attending a regular government school and overcoming challenges, he eventually achieved success. His humble background gave him a deep understanding of poverty. He often discussed India’s problems, such as poverty and corruption. Despite living in the US, he actively participated in Indian cultural activities. He was a very proud Indian with a strong desire to help others.

I thought I should ask him if he knew anyone involved in charity work in India. I explained the situation of those kids to him. I didn’t expect him to fund the kids, but after hearing their stories, he asked how much money was needed. He asked me to wait a few minutes and then sent me a receipt for the money transferred into my account. Mr. Amit told me he often does charity work in India and that I should have mentioned the kids when he was touring with me.

It was incredibly kind of him to immediately provide funds for the children’s clothes and other necessities. Finding such a supporter made me incredibly happy and brought tears to my eyes. I imagined the children’s faces when they received the clothes and shoes. I called Amit, my social worker friend, to determine the age group and number of children. The next day, I went to the market to buy warm clothes and shoes, including jackets, warm innerwear, gloves, socks, shoes, and woolen caps.

Bag of supplies

Now I had enough money for all those kids; in fact, the money given by Mr. Amit from the US was sufficient to support even more children. I went to the work site with all the supplies. As soon as the kids heard I had lots of gifts for them, they jumped with joy. Their happiness was indescribable. I distributed everything among them and had also brought sweets and samosas that we enjoyed together. It was a truly wonderful experience that will stay with me forever.

Mr. Amit, his wife and kids

I had some money left from the fund, which I used to buy woolen caps for the children at Asha Samajik Vidyalay, another non-profit run by my friend Mr. Nandlal Master. The kids there were equally delighted to receive the caps. I hope to continue doing this every year or whenever needed. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Amit Marathe from the US for his generous support and to Mr. Amit Rajbhar for his care for the children.

Kids at Asha Samajik Vidyalay

कोरोना का ईलाज Treatment of Corona

Posted on by
Reply

इस पोस्ट को लिखने के पीछे मेरा केवल एक धेय है मैं कोविड पॉजिटिव से नेगेटिव होने तक के अपने अनुभव को लोगों के साथ साझा कर सकूं जिससे दूसरों की मदद हो सके. लेकिन मैं एक बात स्पष्ठ कर देना चाहता हूँ की मैं कोई डॉक्टर नहीं हूँ, और न ही इस पोस्ट के माध्यम से मैं किसी को कोरोना के ईलाज के सम्बन्ध में कोई सलाह दे रहा हूँ. हर किसी का शरीर अलग होता है तथा एक ही बीमारी अलग अलग लोगों के साथ अलग अलग तरह से व्यवहार करती है. इसलिए कृपया इस पोस्ट को केवल मेरा अनुभव ही समझे और उससे ज्यादा कुछ भी नहीं. हाँ एक व्यक्तिगत सलाह जरूर देंगे की यदि आपको जरा भी आशंका है की आप कोरोना पॉजिटिव हो सकते हैं तो बिना देरी के अपना टेस्ट करवाएं एवं डॉक्टर से उचित सलाह ले कर ही कोई भी काम करें.

मेरे लिए कोरोना पॉजिटिव होना एक आम इंसान के कोरोना पॉजिटिव होने से बहुत ज्यादा खतरनाक था क्योकि मैं अपने लीवर ट्रांसप्लांट के बाद से immunosuppressive दवाएं लेता हूँ जो मेरे शरीर के रोग से लड़ने की क्षमता को कमजोर रखता है. जहाँ कोरोना के ईलाज के लिए सभी डॉक्टर केवल रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता को मजबूत रखना ही इस महामारी का ईलाज बताते हैं वहीँ मजबूरन मैं अपनी रोक प्रतिरोधक क्षमता को कमजोर करने की दावा लेता था. और इस दवा के लेने की वजह से मुझे ये मालूम था की मेरे लिए कोरोना से लड़ना किसी दुसरे आम इन्सान की तुलना में थोडा कठिन होने वाला था. कोरोना जांच की रिपोर्ट आने के पहले ही मुझे इस बात का अंदाज़ हो चूका था की मैं कोरोना पॉजिटिव था क्योकि मेरे सूंघने की शक्ति बिल्कुल क्षीण हो चुकी थी.

जैसे ही मुझे ये अहसाह हुआ था मैं कोरोना पॉजिटिव हो सकता हूँ मैंने सर्वप्रथम अपने आपको बाकी के परिवार के सदस्यों से पूरी तरह से अलग कर लिया था. जब रिपोर्ट आ गयी उसके बाद सबसे पहले मैंने अपने लीवर के डॉक्टर को ILBS हॉस्पिटल में सूचना दी. उन्होंने बोला की immunosuppressive दवाएं बंद कर दो क्योकि कोरोना के ईलाज में रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता मजबूत होनी चाहिए और मेरी दवाएं उसको कमजोर रखने के लिए हैं. ये मेरे लिए बहुत विचित्र स्थिति थी क्योकि यदि immunosuppressive दवाएं बंद होती हैं तो मेरे ट्रांसप्लांट हुए लीवर के लिए घातक है और यदि वो दवाएं लेते रहे तो कोरोना के ईलाज के लिए घातक.

उन्होंने मुझे कोरोना के ईलाज से सम्बंधित कुछ दवाएं भी दी. मेरे डॉक्टर का कहना था की कोरोना के लिए कोई विशेष दवा नहीं बनी है, व्यक्ति का खुद का शरीर ही कोरोना से लड़ता है. साथ में जो दवाएं दी जाती हैं वो केवल शरीर की आधारभूत जरूरतों को पूरा करने के लिए दी जाती हैं जैसे मल्टीविटामिन, जिंक और विटामिन C. मुझे मात्र यही 3 दवाएं दी गयी थी, इसके अलावा कुछ भी नहीं. इसके साथ में मुझे दूध-हल्दी, दिन में कम से कम 4 बार भाप लेना, प्राणायाम, सांस लेने से सम्बंधित दूसरे व्यायाम और स्पाईरोमीटर से दिन में 3-4 बार व्यायाम करने के लिए बोला गया. साथ में अपना पल्स रेट और ऑक्सीजन लेवल भी देखते रहने को बोला गया.

मेरे डॉक्टर ने बोला की घर पर आराम करना है, संतुलित भोजन करना है और यदि सांस लेने में तकलीफ होती है तो तुरंत किसी पास के कोविड हॉस्पिटल में एडमिट हो जाना है. डॉक्टर ने ये भी बोला की यदि ऑक्सीजन लेवल 95 से नीचे होता है तो डॉक्टर से संपर्क करना चाहिए. मुझे ऑक्सीजन लेवल का अंदाज़ पहले से था क्योकि अपने लीवर के ईलाज के समय मैं काफी समय तक ऑक्सीजन सपोर्ट पर था और मुझे इस बात का अंदाज़ था की अगर ऑक्सीजन लेवल 90 तक भी पहुच जाता है तो उसमे हॉस्पिटल की तुरंत जरूरत नहीं है. इसके अलावा कुछ स्वास से सम्बंधित व्यायाम भी मुझे काफी पहले से मालूम थे जिसको करने से शरीर का ऑक्सीजन लेवल बढाने में मदद मिलती है जैसे की Proning या कुछ योग एवं प्राणायाम.

प्रोनिंग एक प्रकार की बैठने, लेटने और सांस लेने की विशेष अवस्था है जिसके द्वारा ज्यादा से ज्यादा सांस फेफड़ों में भरी जा सके ताकि शरीर का ऑक्सीजन लेवल बना रहे. प्रोनिंग और योग द्वारा ऑक्सीजन लेवल बढाने की प्रक्रिया लगभग एक सी ही है बस करने का तरीका थोडा अलग है. प्रोनिंग में भी एक विशेष अवस्था में बैठ कर या लेट कर फेफड़ों में ज्यादा से ज्यादा ऑक्सीजन भरने की बात की जाती है और योग प्राणायाम तो पूरी तरह से सांस भरने और छोड़ने पर आधारित प्रक्रिया है. लेकिन इनमे से किसी को भी करने के पहले मुझे ऐसा लगता है की किसी विशेषज्ञ की सलाह लेनी चाहिए. योग प्राणायाम से ऑक्सीजन लेवल बनाये रखने के लिए बाबा रामदेव भी कई आसनों और प्राणायाम बताते हैं जिसको इस विडियो में देख सकते हैं-

मेरे पॉजिटिव होने के कुछ दिन बाद से एक एक कर के मेरे घर के सभी सदस्य कोविड पॉजिटिव हो गए और हम सभी लोगों ने वहीँ दवाइयां ली जो मेरे डॉक्टर ने मुझे बताई थी और वही दिनचर्या का पालन किया जैसा डॉक्टर ने बोला था. मेरे बड़े भाई ने बनारस के किसी डॉक्टर के द्वारा बताई गयी दवाइयां ली थी जो मेरे दवाइयों से थोड़ी अलग थी. बनारस में डॉक्टर मल्टी विटामिन, जिंक, विटामिन C के साथ में Doxycycline, Montelukast and Fexofenadine और Ivermectin भी दे रहे थे जबकि मैंने केवल मल्टीविटामिन, जिंक और विटामिन C ही लिया था. अंततः 15 दिन बाद मैंने अपना RT PCR टेस्ट करवाया और रिपोर्ट नेगेटिव आ गई और एक एक कर के परिवार के सभी सदस्य भी नेगेटिव हो गए.

पॉजिटिव से नेगेटिव होने के इस दौर में जो महत्वपूर्ण बातें नोटिस किया जिससे मुझे बहुत मदद मिली वो थी-

  • जैसे ही शंका हुआ मैंने तुरंत अपना टेस्ट करवा लिया जिससे की मुझे ये पता चल गया की मुझे कोविड का इन्फेक्शन है जिससे मुझे मेरा ईलाज सही समय पर शुरू करने में मदद मिली. आज सभी का ये मानना है की यदि कोविड के इन्फेक्शन का पता सही समय पर चल जाये तो इससे लड़ाई आसान हो जाती है. नहीं तो अगर ये इन्फेक्शन बढ़ गया तो फिर दुनिया जानती है की इसकी कोई दवा नहीं है. इसलिए अगर जरा सा भी शंका हो की कोविड का इन्फेक्शन हो सकता है तो तुरंत टेस्ट करवाना चाहिए और डॉक्टर के निर्देशन में अपना ईलाज शुरू कर देना चाहिए.
  • अपने आपको सबसे अलग कर लेना और घर पर भी रहना बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है क्योकि कोविड शरीर के रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता को कमजोर कर देता है और यदि उस समय कोई घर के बाहर आता जाता है या दूसरे व्यक्तियों के संपर्क में आता है तो उसे दूसरा इन्फेक्शन भी आने का खतरा होता है और साथ ही साथ वो अपना इन्फेक्शन दूसरे को भी दे देता है क्योकि कोरोना बहुत ही जबरदस्त संक्रामक वायरस है जो एक व्यक्ति से दूसरे व्यक्ति में बहुत आसानी से फ़ैल जाता है. कई वैज्ञानिक तो यहाँ तक बोल रहे है की ये हवा से फैलने वाला वायरस है इसलिए अपने आपको आइसोलेट कर लेने में ही समझदारी है.
  • भाप लेना बहुत मदद किया – मेरे डॉक्टर ने मुझे दिन में 3-4 बार भाप लेने के लिए बोला था जिसका मुझे बहुत फायदा महसूस हुआ. शायद इसी वजह से मुझे खांसी या खरास की दिक्कत नहीं हुई. भाप लेने के लिए शुरू के 2-3 दिन मैंने घर पर ही बड़े बर्तन में पानी गर्म कर के भाप लिया लेकिन उसके बाद एक छोटी मशीन खरीद लिया जिससे काम और आसान हो गया. भाप लेने सम्बंधित भी कुछ नियम है जिसका पालन करना चाहिए.
  • स्पाईरोमीटर – स्पाईरोमीटर एक छोटा सा यन्त्र होता है जिसका इस्तेमाल फेफड़ों और सांस सम्बंधित व्यायाम करने के लिए किया जाता है. इसमें बंद चौकोर डिब्बे में 3 बाल होती हैं जिससे एक पाइप जुडी होती है. उसी पाइप से सांस अन्दर खीचने पर वो बालें ऊपर की और उठती हैं. जितनी जोर से सांस खींचा जायेगा उतनी ज्यादा बाल ऊपर उठती है. ये फेफड़ों के लिए बहुत ही बेहतरीन व्यायाम है. मेरे डॉक्टर ने मुझे ये व्यायाम दिन में 4-5 बार करने के लिए बोला था.
  • दूध हल्दी का सेवन करना हमेशा से ही अच्छा माना गया है जिसको आयुर्वेद और अंग्रेजी डॉक्टर दोनों लोग मान्यता देते हैं. दूध हल्दी से रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता मजबूत है जो की कोरोना से लड़ने का एकमात्र उपाय है. इसका सेवन करने की सलाह भी मुझे मेरे डॉक्टर ने दिया था. इसके साथ में हल्का, सुपाच्य और स्वास्थ्कारी भोजन (घर का बना हुआ ज्यादा तेल, घी, मसाले वाला नहीं) करने की सलाह दी गयी थी.

कुल मिलाजुला कर मेरा अनुभव ये रहा की यदि कोरोना का इन्फेक्शन सही समय पर पता चल जाये और यदि व्यक्ति डॉक्टर की सलाह माने तो इस इन्फेक्शन को ख़त्म करने में बहुत मदद मिल सकती है. इसलिए यदि जरा सी भी शंका हो तो तुरंत टेस्ट करवाना चाहिए. दूसरी बहुत महत्वपूर्ण बात ये की इस इन्फेक्शन को लेकर घबराना नहीं चाहिए. मैंने देखा है की लोग कोरोना का नाम सुनते ही बहुत ज्यादा डर जाते हैं. जहाँ तक हो सके सकारात्मक रहने का प्रयास करना चाहिए, घर पर हैं तो अपने पसंद की फिल्म देखिये, किताबें पढ़िए….कोई भी काम जो बिना किसी दूसरे से मिले जुले हो सकता है. जहाँ तक हो सके हॉस्पिटल से दूरी बनाने में ही समझदारी है.

मुझे ऐसा लगता है की यदि मेरे जैस आदमी जिसका मात्र 5 महीने पहले लीवर ट्रांसप्लांट हुआ हो, जो immunosupressive दवाएं लेता हो अगर वो इस वायरस को परास्त कर सकता है तो कोई भी व्यक्ति सही निर्णय लेकर कोरोना को परास्त कर सकता है. जैसा की मैंने शुरू में लिखा है की ये लेख मेरा व्यक्तिगत अनुभव मात्र है और इससे ज्यादा कुछ नहीं. मैं कोई डॉक्टर नहीं हूँ ना ही मुझे कोरोना या उससे सम्बंधित कोई वैज्ञानिक जानकारी है. इसलिए इस लेख को एक सच्ची कहानी से ज्यादा कुछ भी न समझे. कुछ भी परेशानी होने पर तुरंत डॉक्टर से संपर्क करें और उनके निर्देशानुसार ही अपना इलाज करें.

My Liver Transplant Journey Part 3: Two weeks at home after getting discharged from BHU

Posted on by
Reply

Continuing from Part 2

I was discharged from the hospital on March 21st, just before the nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 24th. I remained at home throughout the lockdown and managed my daily routine without any issues. I followed my doctor’s instructions and took my medication as prescribed. A follow-up appointment with blood tests was scheduled for two weeks later. Obtaining a blood test during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging. I conveniently booked an online appointment with Lal Path Labs

They collected blood samples from my home and sent the reports to me online. Another challenge was seeing a doctor, as most of the hospital was closed. Only emergency services were operational, but even those were limited. In reality, the hospital was not even providing emergency care. Patients arriving with urgent medical needs were often denied admission. The senior doctors were absent, and only resident doctors were available to see patients, prescribe medication, and schedule follow-up appointments.

Many people who died in India during the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t succumb to the virus itself but to other underlying health conditions that they couldn’t receive treatment for. When I arrived at the hospital, the doctor’s outpatient clinic was closed. There was no one to even speak with the patients. I went to the emergency ward and explained my situation, but they were unresponsive and told me to return after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. As a last resort, I went directly to the doctor’s personal office at the hospital.

I presented my reports to the doctor, but he became very angry that I had approached him directly. He began yelling at me and told me to return after the COVID-19 pandemic ended. I pleaded with him to simply tell me if I should stop, change, or continue my medication. However, he was so enraged that he threw away my reports without even examining them. He called his assistant, and they forcibly removed me from his office. It was a cruel and inhumane act from someone entrusted with public health.

I did nothing wrong by going to his office, as doctors were mandated by the government to be present at the hospital to care for their patients. I was also strictly adhering to COVID-19 protocols. Unfortunately, the doctor’s behavior was typical of many government hospital doctors in India. I was unsure what to do next. Should I continue my medication, stop it, or change it? My supply of medication had also run out, and purchasing medicines during the COVID-19 lockdown was challenging due to the closure of many medical shops.

Feeling well and concerned about potential medication overdose, I decided to stop taking my medication. Although I initially felt fine, the relief was short-lived. I began experiencing severe, indescribable pain in both legs. The pain was so intense that I required constant massage. My wife and mother were incredibly supportive during this time. They would take turns massaging my legs throughout the day and night. When they fell asleep, I would cry in pain and massage my legs myself.

Nothing was working, and my condition was deteriorating rapidly. I began experiencing severe stomach discomfort, weakness, and fatigue. I spent most of my time lying in bed, massaging my legs, and crying. I tried to contact the doctor at BHU again, but it was impossible. Desperate for help, I decided to visit another hospital. I went to Popular Hospital in Varanasi, where a doctor recommended hospitalization. Unfortunately, they had no available beds.

I took the prescribed medication and returned home. However, none of the medicines were effective. I felt weak, tired, nauseous, and had a heavy stomach. My fatigue and difficulty breathing persisted. The leg pain also showed no improvement. One night, feeling particularly unwell, I went to Samvedna Hospital, located near my home. Samvedna Hospital has a reputation for overcharging patients, but I had no other choice.

The main doctor was unavailable, so a nurse examined me. The nurse spoke to the doctor by phone, who requested my hospitalization. I agreed to be admitted, but there were no available beds in the general ward. The nurse explained that I would need to be admitted to the ICU due to my condition. After a chest X-ray, I was admitted to the ICU ward.

The ICU ward was not what I expected. It was a large hall with multiple beds, lacking essential medical equipment. It resembled a typical hospital ward without even a doctor present. I observed the nurse sending my X-ray image to the doctor via WhatsApp. After a few minutes, the doctor returned and asked me to follow him. I assumed he was taking me for further tests, but he instead brought me back to my family members on the ground floor.

I noticed that the hospital staff maintained an unusual distance from me. I also saw another person spraying sanitizer everywhere I touched or stepped. My family members suggested that we return home. Later, I learned that the doctor suspected I had COVID-19 and decided to discharge me from the hospital. I was frightened to hear that I might have COVID-19, even though I had no symptoms. We decided to visit another hospital the next day and then returned home.

To be continued in the part 4

My Liver Transplant Journey Part 2: Stay with in-laws & Their Behavior: BHU Hospitalization

Posted on by
Reply

Continuing from the post number 1 …………….

My wife was visiting her parents during that time. One day, I called her and mentioned that I’d like to join her for a few days. I’m still puzzled by that decision, as I’m not someone who typically enjoys extended stays at my in-laws’ place. My wife was equally surprised, as it was likely the first time in our marriage that I’d expressed such a desire. I did go, and it was there that I began experiencing daily evening fevers accompanied by chills.

Sigmoidoscopy Report from February 2020

Whenever I felt cold, I would take Zerodol-P for temporary relief. I was also experiencing severe, persistent leg pain that was difficult to describe. This continued for three or four days, prompting me to get a blood test. I opted for a CBC and LFT. The results showed slightly elevated TLC counts, elevated bilirubin (around 8), elevated AST and ALT levels, and low albumin levels. While I initially believed it wasn’t serious, my family insisted on seeing a doctor. I eventually agreed and consulted a doctor at BHU.

Endoscopy Report from Feb 2020

The gastroenterology department head at BHU, Dr. V.K. Dixit, ordered additional tests: CBC, LFT, KFT, PT-INR, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy. The results were concerning. In addition to abnormal LFT, my PT-INR was alarmingly elevated, far exceeding the safe range. My PT-INR was 3, while it should have been below 1. A resident doctor initially reviewed my reports and advised me to seek treatment at a larger hospital due to their severity.

Color Doppler Report from March 2020

His first question was whether I had experienced bleeding through my stool, nose, or cough. I replied negatively. He then explained that my PT-INR levels were so high that I risked vomiting blood or falling into a coma at any time. He recommended seeking treatment at a specialized liver hospital in Delhi. However, I insisted on seeing a senior doctor first. The senior doctor concurred with the assessment of my PT-INR levels and asked the same questions about bleeding.

BHU Prescription Page 1

I was unfamiliar with PT-INR levels and unaware of the dangers posed by elevated levels. The doctor instructed me to be admitted to the ward immediately. I complied, but after only two days, the doctor asked my family to take me home. He explained that there was little left to do, and they should either transfer me to a specialized hospital in Delhi or take me home. The doctor emphasized that the only potential option for survival was an immediate liver transplant.

BHU Prescription Page 2

My family requested that he keep me in the hospital for a few days, but he refused. He explained that it wouldn’t be beneficial to stay at BHU, as they lacked the necessary facilities for my condition. After much persuasion, he agreed to admit me. Fortunately, my body responded to the medication, and I began to feel better. I stayed in the hospital for a week and was eventually discharged. The doctor prescribed some medications and scheduled a follow-up appointment for two weeks later.

I was discharged from the hospital on March 21st, just a day before the lockdown was imposed. I’d like to reflect on my time at my in-laws’ place, as it taught me a valuable life lesson. Their family is a joint family, consisting of my in-laws and my wife’s uncle’s family. This includes my mother-in-law, my wife’s uncle, aunt, their son, and my wife’s grandmother. My father-in-law passed away in 2017, and since then, my mother-in-law has been living with my uncle’s family.

When I moved in with them, my aunt seemed somewhat upset. The next day, she told my wife that if we were staying for a few days, we should bring all our groceries and give them to her. My wife complied, emptying our kitchen and giving everything to her aunt. My aunt would also ask my wife to buy milk, vegetables, and other groceries in exchange for our stay. Essentially, I was paying for our stay, which is unheard of in Indian culture.

I later learned that my wife’s uncle had lent her money at a high interest rate while I was fighting for my life at BHU. While high-interest loans are common in the market, you wouldn’t expect such behavior from your own uncle in an emergency. He lent Rs. 60,000 at a 10% monthly interest rate, even deducting one month’s interest upfront. My elder brother and my wife contributed to my hospital bill.

We humans have categorized our personal and social lives in specific ways. We anticipate certain behaviors from certain relationships. My relationship with my wife’s family is deeply sacred, but such behavior raises questions about the fundamental nature of human connection and relationships. While such incidents are rare—I’ve never heard of anything similar elsewhere—I experienced it firsthand. I acknowledge his assistance, but I no longer consider it help because he charged money for it…

To be continued in Part 3……

My Liver Transplant Journey: How it all started: Post 1

Posted on by
Reply

Due to the length of my liver transplant journey, I’ll be sharing it in a series of posts, each focusing on different events and experiences from my illness to recovery. 

It took me over three years to decide whether or not to share my liver transplant journey. After much deliberation, I chose to write about it as a way of expressing gratitude to all the positive forces in the existence that helped me through this difficult time. Initially, I hesitated to share my experiences due to the many negative experiences I encountered with. However, a deep desire to help others avoid similar hardships and motivated me to write.

You may find some of my views negative, but please refrain from being judgmental until you’ve read my entire series of posts. I’ve been as honest as possible, detailing my mental state when I had high ammonia levels and the reasons behind people’s negative attitudes towards me. I fully understand the frustration and financial burden my illness placed on my family. Dealing with such unexpected challenges is not easy, but smart decisions can make things significantly easier. Patients, families, and others each have distinct roles to play. By understanding one another and working together with a compassionate and scientific approach, we can achieve better outcomes with less difficulty.

As I mentioned earlier, please avoid judgment until you’ve read all of my posts. I pray that no one ever experiences the hardships I faced, but if they do, I hope my posts can offer help to patients, their families, and society at large. Hari Om.

——————————————————————————————————————–

My health began to deteriorate in the final week of December 2019 or the first week of January 2020. I experienced persistent chills, weakness, and fatigue, but I didn’t suspect a severe liver issue. While I had a history of jaundice in 2017 and septicemia in 2018, both conditions were effectively managed. Although I required hospitalization for three days to treat the septicemia, my liver function tests remained normal. When I experienced jaundice, my doctor suggested that it could be attributed to contaminated water, unhealthy food, or a sedentary lifestyle. I regularly underwent blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor my health, but these examinations never indicated any signs of liver disease.

I’d like to share another incident that occurred in March 2019. My older brother, Shailendra, was visiting Varanasi and falsely claimed that his company offered free healthcare for family members, including me. He encouraged me to get an ultrasound scan using this insurance coverage. I knew he was lying, using the ultrasound as a pretext to discuss my declining health. I accompanied my brother to get an ultrasound scan. During the appointment, I noticed him speaking privately with the doctor, which seemed suspicious.

I suspected he might be requesting the doctor to provide a negative assessment of my health. Although I was somewhat upset, I still went through with the scan. Once the scan was complete, the doctor informed me that my liver appeared unhealthy and recommended consulting a specialized liver hospital in Delhi. However, I was convinced that the doctor’s assessment was pre-arranged and dismissed his advice. In retrospect, I wish I had taken his recommendation seriously.

Looking back on my illness in 2020, I believe it began in January, though I initially dismissed the symptoms. As I mentioned earlier, I felt constantly cold, weak, and fatigued. Over time, I also developed mental health issues likely attributed to high ammonia levels in my body. I recall feeling persistently upset and isolated, longing to escape from those around me. I was confused and disoriented, unsure what was happening to me or if I was living a different kind of life. The underlying reason for my desire to withdraw is something I choose to keep private. It was a personal burden that caused me constant distress. This secret will likely remain undisclosed until the end of my days.

Overwhelmed by stress, I once left home without informing anyone and stayed with a friend for two days. One night, I even called my mother to say I wouldn’t see her again. The combination of stress and high ammonia levels left me constantly upset, angry, and confused. Reflecting on those days, I realize my behavior was indicative of a mental health crisis. Suicidal thoughts were frequent, and I often contemplated ending my life. It’s clear now that my illness began in January, but I was oblivious to it at the time. Looking back at photos from that period, I can see that my skin had darkened significantly, and I was noticeably thin. However, I never suspected a severe liver condition.

Look at the sudden change in my face color

Reflecting on those days, I recall that even after consuming alcohol, my breath and urine would retain an alcohol odor for the following day. People would frequently ask me in the afternoon if I had been drinking, even though my behavior was not indicative of intoxication. I believe this was due to my body’s inability to metabolize alcohol effectively, causing it to accumulate. While I can’t pinpoint the exact date of my first drink, I had been consuming alcohol for approximately 10-12 years. Typically, I would consume a quarter of whiskey (165 ml) each evening. Although there were occasional lapses, I generally drank alcohol daily. In the last 2-3 years of my active drinking phase, I increased my daily intake to 200 ml. I rarely drank during the day, except for special occasions like Holi. While I’m unsure if this qualifies as heavy drinking, it’s clear that I consumed alcohol almost daily.

My final alcohol consumption was on March 8, 2020. With Holi approaching on the 10th, I was in a celebratory mood. I recall enjoying two cans of Kingfisher beer at home before heading out to meet friends. While I typically preferred whiskey, I opted for beer that evening due to feeling unwell and seeking a temporary boost. When I joined my friends, they were already drinking a variety of beverages, including whiskey and beer. Despite my initial intention to avoid whiskey, I ultimately consumed two or three shots.

I recall returning home late that night and going to my mother’s room, which was unusual for me. Typically, I would go directly to my room and sleep. However, on that night, I went to my mother and asked her to cook Khichdi. I remember she was visibly upset about my condition. Eventually, I went to my room late at night and slept. The next morning, I felt extremely weak, feverish, and shivering. Despite it being Holi on the 10th, my illness prevented me from celebrating. My ammonia levels were already elevated, and I felt confused most of the time.

To be continued in Part 2…….

I am back

Posted on by
Reply

I know that I have not been able to write any new post since 2016, actually it all started in the year 2014 but it was all because of some personal and social reasons which I do not want to disclose but I am so happy that somehow I am back again where I belonged to, where I can write anything I want without getting any kind of censorship from Facebook or any other social networking platform I use. The years between 2014 and 2018 have been really hard for me which kept me away from writing. I thought about writing all the time but never seemed to be possible…… well in any case now I feel like I am back again and I hope to keep writing again about whatever I interests me. Jai Hind.

A Journalist burnt alive, is there any freedom of expression in Uttar Pradesh?

Posted on by
Reply

What could be worse punishment for writing against a minister in Uttar Pradesh? Must not be anything because constitution of India gives us freedom of speech and expression but Uttar Pradesh Minister of Dairy Development Mr. Rammutri Verma hated it so much that he ordered the local police to set Mr. Jagendra Singh, a journalist from Saharanpur, on fire and kill him only because he wrote against him on his personal facebook page. Policing, bad governance and vandalism of ministers and ruling party members is nothing new for Uttar Pradesh but situation becomes worse as soon as Samajwadi Party comes in power. The whole party is full of bullshit, the only thing they do is caste and religion based politics to stay in power somehow.

The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mr. Akhilesh Yadav distributes free laptops but his own website is still under construction even after his three years in office. His father and chairperson of Samajwadi Party Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav claims that women are super safe under his party’s rule but when asked about rapes he says that “boys are boys and they make mistakes sometimes” . These are the people who are ruling the state so I never hope for anything else from them but situation seems really horrible when we hear about incidents like Mr. Singh’s murder and it becomes more horrible when such criminals are not even arrested. What was his fault? Media was pressurizing the Samajwadi Party to take action against the minister but they wanted to prove it as a suicide whereas Mr. Singh’s statement was recorded on camera while he was dying in this hospital. Here is his statement-

He clearly says in the video that Police came and they first started to beat him asking why does he write against the Minister Verma and finally burnt him up. Even after this statement the Samajwadi Party never admitted that their Minister and Police was involved in this murder. In fact his son also explained the whole thing on TV, his son also said that now he was getting threats from the Minister, they were also offering him money but the administration did not take any action against Minister Verma, they did not even register any Police complaint against him. Finally they just suspended two Policemen and that’s all. I know that people of Uttar Pradesh have made a huge mistake by choosing such criminals to run the state but I do have a hope that they will take revenge of all the sins Samajwadis have been doing in 2017 when we have our next elections. Jai Hind.

Interview with Arun Pathak

Posted on by
2

Mr. Pathak addressing a public meeting

Arun Pathakis a politician and a social worker from Varanasi. He is famous all over the world for his style of protest by committing suicide. His protest against the movie water in the year 2000 made him popular all over the world. I had been hearing about him ever since I started hearing, had seen him several times in my neighborhood and had read his name in the newspapers and magazines several times but I got to meet with him last year when I was working with Irene, a researcher from Italy. When Irene asked me to arrange a meeting with Mr. Pathak, I was not really if I would be able to arrange it because Arun Pathak has become a very powerful politician now.

Mr. Pathak on the stage

I was thinking about Arun Pathak like any other Indian politician who do not have time for people after the elections are over but my impression about him completely wrong. I was able to arrange the meeting with Arun Pathak and I was seriously surprised to see how helping nature person he was. I went to interview him with Irene at least 20 times in 2 months and he was always so welcoming. He treated us very well and answered all of our questions. I got to learn about him a lot by interviewing him.

I was seriously surprised to listen his stories about his politics, style of protest and his struggles. Mr. Pathak’s family was very poor. His father worked at Jain Dharamshala in Varanasi as a store keeper. Pathak said that often times they did not have enough money to buy both meals everyday and they slept empty stomachs several times. He had to stop his studies and he was sent to his uncle’s house in the village only because the family could not afford to send him to the school.

Mr. Pathak at a meeting

He returned to Varanasi only after a few months because his uncle also not nice to him. Finally Pathak joined municipality school (free schools but just waste of time) in Varanasi. During his schooling when he was only 14 years old, he went to a shop in his neighborhood asking for a job because he wanted to make some money to help his family. The shopkeeper laughed at him and said that he could employ a 14 year old student. Arun Pathak said that he wanted a part time job for evenings.

Mr. Pathak in 2002

After so much request by Pathak, the shopkeeper agreed to have him as a part time employee. Pathak worked at his shop for one month and when he got his first salary, which was only Rs. 30, he was so happy to share it with his family. But when he was going back to his home with his salary, a few bullies stopped him and took his money. They asked him to buy them alcohol using the same money. After drinking alcohol they all went together and beat his family. Mr. Pathak says that his family was beaten up only because they were not able to pay the rent of their apartment on time.

Arrest

Those days a political party called Shiv Sena was very popular in India for working with youth. Shiv Sena has always been known for being a radical Hindu party. There was a rumor those days that Shiv Sena was providing a pistol to all of their new members and after hearing this Mr. Pathak also thought to join the Shiv Sena so that he could get a pistol to kill the people who had beaten his family. Since it was only a rumor, Mr. Pathak was never provided any pistol by Shiv Sena but Mr. Pathak proudly says he found nuclear bombs instead of pistols in Shiv Sena.

Distributing books in Mumbai

When talking about nuclear bombs he talks about the radical people of Shiv Sena. He says he had always led the life of a leader even during his school times and after joining Shiv Sena he again became popular because of leadership quality and so many people in his party became his fans who were ready to die or kill anyone for himself. He did so many programs organized under the banner of Shiv Sena and became so popular very soon. After 11 years of hard work he became district chief of Shiv Sena in the year 2000.

Honored by Sankaracharya

His protests were always huge and always became matter of conversation in the society. His protests against the movie Water, Girlfriend and Chori-Chori Chupke-Chupke was talked about all over the world. Shiv Sena has always been protesting against the Valentines Day celebration in India and he also organized huge protests against the festival in Varanasi. His protest against the liquor stores, corruption and several other things also got huge popularity. Very soon Mr. Pathak had became a very big name all over India.

Hunger strike

Mr. Pathak has always been known for his extreme way of protesting. He has consumed poison five times in order to protest. Once he cut veins of his right hand when he stopped from entering in a temple. When I asked Mr. Pathak about why he did such things, he laughs and says that nobody listens to the poor people. If you are poor and powerless then this is what you do to make people listen to you. He proudly says that he is the inventor of staging suicide as a form of protest.

Attack

I had read so many articles about him and some of them said that the thing Mr. Pathak consumed was not basically poison and when I asked Mr. Pathak about it he showed me his palm which sweats all the time and he says that his body developed this problem ever since he consumed poison first time.  He showed me his medical prescription which says that he can not eat any heavy or spicy food, he has to drink filtered water and it all happened because of the affect of the poison he consumed several times.

offering food to poor

He says that it was not only himself who consumed poison but there were other people as well who consumed poison or tried to burn themselves only because he asked them to do so in order to protest. After saying this he called one of his workers named Bulli. Bulli is 29 years old and had consumed poison when he was only 14. He did it in order to protest against the movie Chor-Chori Chupke-Chupke. I asked Bulli several times when I met him alone about why did he consume poison and ever time his answer was same that he did not know.

offering food to blinds

He always says that Mr. Pathak had asked him to consume poison so he did it. I asked him if he ever regret about it and says- why would I regret? It was Bhaiya’s order. He knows what is best for me. I was shocked to hear it. How come someone can have this big control over someone else? The bigger shock is people’s belief in Mr. Pathak. Anyways, he worked with Shiv Sena till 2003 and then left because he was not happy with the way Shiv Sena was discriminating against certain communities.

at a school

Actually Shiv Sena was beating the North Indians living in Maharastra and was kicking them out and Mr. Pathak was seriously hurt with the situation that he decided to leave the party. He formed his own political party and run it for four years. Finally in the year 2007 he realized that he needed a bigger platform to raise his voice and fight against big evils. Finally he joined Bahujan Samaj Party which is known for working with lower caste community and fighting against Mafias.

offering food to lepers

Again because of leadership quality he was appointed as co-coordinator for two state assembly seats in Varanasi. During his work period he made Bahujan Samaj Party very popular in Varanasi where there was no existence of Bahujan Samaj Party before. He has been kind of away from politics for the past one year and has been devoting his complete time in social service and religion. He says that he has been doing a research on the outcome of religious practices. To do it he has hired 11 priests who perform vedic yagyas everyday.

Mr. Pathak’s priests

These yagayas including other rituals have been going on continuously since October 2010.  He says that he wants bring the truth in the society. If there is no outcome of such practices then people should not waste their time and if performing rituals really work then they should do it in right way. He believes that rituals do not really seem helpful nowadays because they were made thousands of years ago and now when the time has changed they also need to changed. And he wants to know this change.

distributing books to poor students

I have been to Mr. Pathak’s place several times and every time I go there I see people coming to him asking for help. He makes some kind of donation almost everyday. I have seen him offering food to the lepers, blind or physically challenged people. I have seen him paying poor students fee or buying them books. I have seen him paying for poor people weddings. I think he does all kind of donation possible. He never any new cloth until he donates the same to a few poor people. I still remember that once he bought 12 tracksuits. 11 were donated to the beggars on the street first and only then he wore one.

performing aarti at Assi ghat

I have seen people running behind him, I am sure he thousands of fans only in Varanasi. He is like a star in Varanasi who is always surrounded by minimum of 6 security guards. He says that there is threat of life for him because there are so many people who do not like his popularity hence he needs security guards all the time with himself. After saying this he stops for a while and then said that can you imagine that I started working at the age of 14 because of my poor family background. He proudly says that his first salary was only Rs. 30 and now he has to spend good amount of money only on his security.

Mr. Pathak with his security guards

It is definitely a huge change for anyone and Mr. Pathak definitely deserves it. Now I have met Mr. Pathak several times and I like him a lot. I love his style of working, his devotion for his work, his understanding of the society and his super helpful nature. I am sure that I have also become his fan and would love to see him progressing in his life because I personally believe that he is a thousand time better leader and politician than anyone I have ever met. My society definitely needs people like him.