School friends are indeed special in many ways! It isn’t uncommon of school friends not staying in touch for decades after schooling. But when they meet, it’s hard to make out if they haven’t been in touch! And, that makes school friends special! I did my schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya Meghahatuburu (passed out in 1991). I will talk about this place another time as there is so much to talk about! This small town, the school and the mining division of SAIL where our parents worked surely has played significant role in shaping our lives. Our batch, the notorious 1991 batch (as nicknamed by school teachers) produced some of the finest and successful professionals in various fields. We all studied together from kindergarten till 12th standard. After schooling, most of us took different career paths and moved to distant locations. We made new friends and lost touch with most old school pals, until social media platforms brought us together! Today, I would like to narrate a recent story of a school friend, Amit Roy. A story of friends who supported their school friend to put up a brave fight against a life threatening health condition.
On 22nd January, 2021, our school friend Amit Roy was diagnosed with two severe brain hemorrhages and was admitted to hospital in critical condition. Usually, brain surgeries are always complicated and carries several risks including permanent disabilities and at worst threat to life. The doctors in the hospital he was admitted advised for an immediate and non-conventional brain surgery. This surgery was initially estimated significantly high, with no upper cap being communicated! To any middle class Indian this was unaffordable, even with health insurance. Amit and his wife lead an extremely simple life with a goal to help the needy. The major portion of their earning was diverted to help the underprivileged and sometimes a needy.
Like an angel came our schoolmate Dr. Ompakash, who himself is a renowned Neurologist in India and got involved in his case remotely. He was not comfortable with the non-conventional surgery and felt if both techniques carry risks, why not take a chance with conventional surgery. A decision had to be made. The bigger issue was how to organize funds? It was heart breaking to see Amit’s family struggling to get Amit a chance to put up a fight!
Another friend Vikas too was aware of Amit’s condition. In a discussion, Vikas and Dr. Omprakash proposed to help our dear friend in anyways we could; stretch ourselves, reach out to other school friends and give it a best shot. We started reaching out to our school friends. And, what started as an uphill task in the morning, our school friends turned the tables around by evening and made a surgery possible. The contributions started pouring from our school friends and we were able to pool enough money to be able to start the surgery. Amit had some insurance cover and his wife too managed to pool in a good sum from her sources.
Somehow Amit’s family was not comfortable with the hospital and his father-in-law with his connects managed to get him shifted to a hospital that specialized in these surgeries. They managed to move him to another hospital. The HOD of Neurology in second hospital examined and was confident and comforted his family and of his recovery. Our friend Dr. Omprakash too spoke to him over phone and he too sounded comfortable and confident to proceed with the surgery in the second hospital. Dr. Omprakash was in a constant discussion with the specialist and helped Amit’s family with sound advises that gave them hope even in critical condition. Amit’s first surgery was extremely successful! That was a breather. There were more surgeries lined up, but a good start changes the game!
More money was needed to ensure planned surgeries don’t stop. One of our school friends Pradeep was also his college mate. He reached out to his friends and sought their help. His college mate, Brajesh took the initiative and coordinated with all college mates. In next 24 hours, contributions started pouring from there as well. He said, “We won’t let money come in the way”! Such a strong assurance can only come from good people and great friends. I was coordinating the efforts and all this sounded like a fairy tale to me!
While there was emotional turmoil outside of the operation theatre, our friend showed tremendous strength and kept fighting to make a comeback. All surgeries were successful but post surgery complication started cropping up giving nightmares yet again to his family and friends. Anything that could go wrong, went wrong! To add to Amit’s miseries, he was tested Covid positive as well! It was Amit’s wife Rachana by his side that helped him sail through the most difficult times of his life! He fought all adversaries and came out safe and healthy. With so many well wishers, this had to happen this way!
Hearing his wellbeing, all school friends with immense joy said “Bach Gaya Saala!“
I don’t have words to express my gratitude to all my school friends and Amit’s college friends to come forward and help Amit. Friends joined hands together and saved friend’s life! A sincere and heartfelt thanks to all friends for their prayers and timely support. May God bless you all and be with you in your difficult times.
School friends had an e-celebration on Amit’s recovery on 31-July-2021. Unfortunately, many friends missed attending due to other engagements. We hope to celebrate this in a big way. It could also be a school re-union after three decades!
Welcome back Amit!
With loads of wishes for a speedy recovery!
– Gattu, Vikas, Moni, Pradeep, Subai, Bhaskar, Randhir, Chacko, Krishna, Shashibhushan, Shashikant, Aftab, Soumen, Butlu with all our 1991 batch mates
About Amit Roy
Amit Roy is a wildlife photographer specializing in photo documentation of smaller life forms, expecially arthropods. He is also a social development and corporate social responsibility professional with over two decades of experience & expertise in the field of soil and water conservation, agriculture, livelihoods, and education amongst others.