Mansion of Love - The Revolutionary Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital at Rajkot

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Mansion of Love

- The Revolutionary Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital at Rajkot

 

 

 

 

 

Jyoti – The ‘Light’ of Ramesh and Lila

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jyoti - the joy of

the family

 

 

 

Jyoti,

just as her name suggests, is the light of the Kannadiga couple, Ramesh

and Lila Gowda. Though living in Ahmedabad, thousands of miles away

from his home-state of Karnataka, Ramesh had no qualms, as this is the

air he had breathed right from his birth. Right from the time his

father moved into this city many decades ago for better opportunities,

it has become the family’s de facto home. And it is here that

Ramesh grew up, got married to Lila and was blessed with Jyoti, their

beautiful daughter.

A little later, came

Vasudev, the couple’s only son. But the family’s connection

with Karnataka remained; Jyoti spent many years of her childhood in

Hassan, a town in South Karnataka, where her maternal grandparents

lived. It was during this time Ramesh got an inkling that their

‘light’ was not shining as brightly as it should. Jyoti, in

spite of all the efforts of her grandparents, was always skinny;

nothing could increase her body weight.

The

concerned Ramesh, brought her daughter to Ahmedabad; this city, he

thought, being the largest in the state, will surely find a remedy for

Jyoti. And it did. After three trips and many tests at the Sharadaben

Hospital (a community hospital for treatment and diagnosis), she now

had a definite diagnosis. She was declared to be having a Congenital

Heart Defect, in simple terms, a hole in the heart. The only solution

was surgery.

Hope for Jyoti Begins to Fade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The light is gone out of her ebullient self

 

 

It

was as if light had gone out of their lives. The operation would cost

Rs. 75000 and Ramesh did not even have Rs. 1000 in his pocket then. For

one who worked as a pin boy in a mill, it was unthinkable, dreadful.

Moreover, the mill was no more there. It had shut down in 1996 and

since then it has been a continuous struggle for Ramesh to make ends

meet. With odd jobs fetching very little and at disconcerting

irregularity, Ramesh had already borrowed generous amounts from friends

and relatives to maintain their hand-to-mouth existence.

The

new adversity was like being cursed even while being in hell. But,

Ramesh and Lila loved their daughter too much to just succumb to the

terrible twist of fate. They would knock at every door and pray at

every shrine, they decided. Through the municipal school where Jyoti

was studying, they applied for relief under various schemes to the

Government of India. More than a year passed since they sent all the

relevant documents, there was no hint of any help whatsoever.

 

Little did they know then that their daughter would one day be brimming

with life and fill their lives with rediscovered joy and inexplicable

happiness, the panacea materializing not in their ‘city of

hope’, Ahmedabad, but from a serene milieu located at more than

hundred miles to the east of this five million plus city. When Ramesh

read a news article about a Heart Camp being organized by Sri Sathya

Sai Seva Organisation of Ahmedabad in August 2005, he saw a ray of

hope; not because he was a devotee of Sai Baba, it was the incredible

fact about the news that ‘all heart surgeries would be done free

of cost at the Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital at Rajkot.’ He found

it difficult to believe; nevertheless, he decided to give it a try and

had Jyothi registered at the camp. They received a pre-screening

appointment on September 4, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Heart Camp in the city of Ahmedabad...

 

This one is in Godhra, a district in eastern Gujarat

 

 

After

doing a series of tests, the doctors confirmed that Jyothi had a heart

defect. The Gowdas were now given a date in the next month to arrive at

the Heart Hospital for a final preoperative check-up. It all seemed so

soothing and life-giving for Ramesh and he looked forward to the

appointment date, but all this changed, when a relative dropped by for

a few hours at his home, a couple of days after this event.

“Ramesh, be prepared,” he warned. “All this free

surgery service is only show; they are going to demand you money during

the operation.” This was the last thing Ramesh wanted to hear;

his fears now were only confirmed. “Yes, how could it be

possible? Why would anybody operate free of charge?” he seemed to

say himself. “It is too good to be true. I do not know if I

should risk the life of my dear daughter.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ramesh - despondent and in doubt

 

 

Ramesh

just could not come to terms that there could be an absolutely free

hospital. Why Ramesh alone? Even the then Chief Minister of Gujarat ,

Sri Keshubhai Patel, at the time of the inauguration of the Sri Sathya

Sai Heart Hospital, had said, “It is unbelievable. In my forty

years of public life, I have not seen anything like this. I wonder how

it is possible. Now that the building is ready and everything seems to

be in its place, I am forced to believe.”

[if

you are wondering what happened to Jyothi, you will now by the time you

finish reading this article. For now, let us turn to the creation of

the Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital at Rajkot.]

The

saga of the Hospital is, indeed, one implausible story comprised of one

staggering tale followed by another, be it the initiation of the idea,

the execution of the plan or the day-to-day running of the hospital.

Swami’s Hospitals Inspires Imitation

 

It all started in the early nineties when a group of Sai devotees from

Rajkot, inspired by the news of the Super Specialty Hospital being set

up in Puttaparthi, wanted to do something similar, even if the scale

was much smaller. They came to Puttaparthi, had blissful darshan of

their Lord and were even blessed with an interview.

They

wanted to start a diagnostic centre and had come fully prepared,

complete with the blueprints of their plan. Swami spoke to them,

instructed and inspired them lovingly to go ahead with their selfless

work. Their joy was tempered with sadness; happy for the blessings

received, but sad because one of their wishes was still not fulfilled

– Swami did not bless their draft proposal to construct a health

centre for reasons which nobody could guess then. But then they did not

let this deter their enthusiasm. Once they returned, they set up a

make-shift diagnostic health center immediately which pre-screened

patients and referred the patients for further medical care.

 

 

 

 

 

The Super Specialty Hospital in Puttaparthi

 

 

Recalling

those days, Mr. Kanubhai Patel, who has been associated with the

hospital right from its inception, says, "We wanted a bigger space

where we could handle patients in a better way. We approached the

management of Khira Hostel which used to be a hostel for students.

Their management was extremely skeptical to give the hostel on rental

basis, more so, after they learnt that we were to offer our services

completely free of cost. They thought it was fanciful and even if it

happened, it would be short-lived”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Kanubhai Patel - the Lord's instrument

 

 

 

Well,

the hostel management’s apprehensions were understandable in this

age when everything is measured only in terms of money. So it was a

difficult proposition for the devotees to convince the hostel officials

and the idea fructified, says Mr. Kanubhai, “Only when we gave

them a local guarantor. And then within no time we commenced our

center’s services.

There was a

deluge of patients as there was no hospital in the vicinity of that

area. Initially, we had no machinery and were completely dependent on

outside support. But we never lost hope. Swami’s golden

assertion: ‘If anyone tries to do good to others with a selfless

motive, take this assurance from Me, all his needs will be taken care

of,’ always rang in our ears and we had rock-like faith.”

And what happened later might be an extraordinary coincidence for a

casual observer, but they knew it was the divine working as ever in His

mysterious ways.

“One day in the

morning when the hostel was being cleaned,” Mr. Kanubhai recalls,

“a gentleman from Singapore came in and had a look at the center.

He was flabbergasted to know that all the medical services in here were

offered absolutely free, with good intentions and no expectations. He

was surprised, and at the same time sad because it did not have

adequate equipment. He immediately offered to donate machinery worth

1.2 million, and in no time the centre saw itself in a completely new

visage. The doctors could now treat more people with less

trouble.” Miracles in every sphere of work of this diagnostic

centre was nothing unusual, it was there everyday for people to see.

Just consider Kalpanaben.

The Case of Kalpanaben

Kalpanaben

was diagnosed to be suffering from twin problems; she needed valve

replacement as well as valve surgery. Rajkot, at that time (early

nineties), had little assistance for such problems. Hailing from a very

poor background and living with her two kids, aged two and four, there

was no way she could afford the surgery.

 

But finance was not really an issue because a London-based Sai devotee

had promised to cover whatever the expense. The main concern was the

complexity of the case. She needed the surgery urgently but no surgeon

was prepared to take the chance. Nothing could save her except prayer,

it seemed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Rajesh Teli, one of the doctors at the diagnostic centre, referred

her to the leading surgeon in Ahmedabad. Even he gave up, seeing the

risky situations involved. But, God had not given up on her. During

this time, Dr. T. Lebroy, a British Surgeon, was in Ahmedabad for a day

to address a conference on the latest surgical practices offered

abroad.

The Ahmedabad based prominent

surgeon referred the case to Dr. Lebroy. After studying the case

carefully, Dr. Lebroy said, “I will do the operation, provided it

can be done tomorrow.” And so, immediately arrangements were

made. On call, the devotee from London provided the financial

assistance of Rs. 75,000 within 24 hours, which took care of the

hospitalization expenses, valve costs, etc. Moved by the selfless

motive of Sai volunteers who were helping the hapless lady out, Dr.

Lebroy did not charge a rupee for the operation.

The

surgery, by the Almighty’s grace, was a success. With her valves

replaced and repaired, Kalpanaben now was ecstatic. She could now lead

a normal life. It is amazing how so many events connected themselves so

beautifully to rewrite Kalpana’s destiny, who did not know

anybody even within the range of 40 kms of the city of Rajkot, where

she lived. Somebody has rightly said, “Coincidences are occasions

when God chooses to be anonymous.”

The Divine Exceeds Expectations

 

Everyday experiences of such ‘divine designs’ only raised

the devotees’ zeal to its zenith. They wanted to do more but what

they had was still just that - a small diagnostic centre. They wanted a

bigger and better equipped health centre for diagnosis. They waited for

the opportunity to present their desire before Bhagavan. And the

breakthrough did come shortly, in a manner and scale they had never

anticipated.

It all happened in 1994 when

Mr. Kanubhai Patel on a visit to Puttaparthi, offered to Bhagavan three

crores in reverence and gratitude for the three sons that God had

blessed him with. The merciful Bhagavan, who only knows to give, told

Him He does not need his money but suggested that the amount could be

spent to build a hospital for the poor and the neglected in Gujarat

itself.

This was the memorable

moment… the beginning of the amazing Sri Sathya Sai Heart

Hospital of Rajkot, which has now become a ‘fairy tale of a

health centre’ for the poor. Immediately after the divine

expressed this wish, a contingent of devotees started working 24/7 and

within days they were in Puttaparthi with blueprints of the proposed

building. When they arrived, it was as if Swami was waiting for them,

for He immediately asked a senior staff of the Puttaparthi Hospital to

give them a comprehensive tour of the hospital. Once they were done, He

called them in for an interview and at length explained all about the

human heart, its functions and features, types of cardiac surgeries and

their procedures, what really constitutes treatment, what should be the

approach towards healing and so on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For

nearly half an hour, Swami was the expert surgeon-cum-hospital

administrator, spelling out nuances of ethical and moral medical care

and curing. “I consider myself and others who were there

extremely fortunate as we received directions direct from divinity

Himself,” says Dr. Rajesh Teli who was present in that interview.

It was a blissful session, no doubt, but towards the end of it the

devotees started getting nervous. For some reason, in spite of all the

guidance that Swami was giving, He did not bless the blueprints they

had brought. The plans they had drawn were for a large diagnostic

centre but Baba’s goal for them was even grander.

Beckoning Kanubhai Patel near who was sitting at the back of the room, Swami asked, “Patel, tune suna…Hospital banaiga?” [Patel, did you hear…will you make the hospital?]

 

Kanubhai, a little taken aback, responded, “Karega, Swami, Baroda

Mein” [Yes, Swami we will do in Baroda, (the city in Gujarat

where Kanubhai lived)].

Swami wanted a

full-fledged hospital, not just a big diagnostic centre. It was clear

now. And Kanubhai had now suggested the location too: the city of

Baroda.

But Swami had more surprises in

store for them that day. He asked, “Saurastra accha nahi hai? Kya

Rajkot hamara nahi hai?” [is the region Saurastra not good

enough? Is Rajkot (a city in the Saurastra region of Gujarat ) not

ours?]

Incidentally, the region of

Saurastra is among the least developed regions in the state of Gujarat.

With poor infrastructure and sparse availability of right manpower and

other resources, it would be a challenge to run a hospital in this

region. A little concerned Kanubhai asked, “Swami, how will we

manage in Rajkot?” And then came the mighty divine assurance:

“Swami will manage.”

And that

is how it exactly happened. He, in His incredible way, arranged

everything. When the devotees asked Swami, “How would we get land

for hospital in our meager budget?” He replied, “Woh patel ko jaake poocho”

[Go and ask Patel for that (Patel here referring to Mr. Keshubhai Patel

who was then Chief Minister of Gujarat]. And sure enough, when the

Chief Minister heard their proposal, he called the collector and asked

him to expedite the organization’s request for land. After going

through the few sites shown, the devotees zeroed down to a one lakh

square feet plot near Virani Science College in Rajkot City, around

four kms from the Railway Station, as the spot for the future hospital.

But

from where is the money going to come from to buy the land?

[Kanubhai’s generous donation was earmarked completely for

construction]. Government charges only 50% of the land cost if it were

to be used for charitable purposes. But taking cognizance of the

‘completely free treatment plan’ of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva

Organization, the government waived another 25%. Yet, the remaining 25%

was no small amount. The trustees of the proposed hospital deliberated

on various avenues for good amount of time in Mumbai and then returned

to their respective cities. They knew they had only one channel open

now: beseeching their Lord through prayer.

Babubhai’s Soul Donation

One

of the trustees, Mansukhbhai Rindani, who was also a leading Chartered

Accountant of Rajkot, was returning to his city in an Indian Airlines

flight after this meeting, concerned all the time about the land. To

his pleasant surprise, when he turned his head he found seated next to

him an old acquaintance, Mr. Babubhai, who was now settled in South

Africa. Mansukhbhai learnt that this friend had recently lost his wife

and was despondent. Babubhai’s mission now was to look out for a

noble cause and donate some money in the memory of his late wife which

would probably bring some solace to his soul. And as you have already

guessed, Babubhai was the right man the yet-to-be-born hospital needed.

So inspired he was about the cause that, once he returned to South

Africa he donated not only what he had originally intended but

5½ times more! Just as promised, Swami was indeed

‘managing’ the whole endeavour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital at Rajkot

 

The Hospital's 'manager'

 

 

Whenever

teams from the hospital came to His physical presence during its

construction phase, be it trustees, architects, contractors, doctors,

administrators or volunteers, Swami always called them in and gave them

much-needed guidance and enlivened their enthusiasm. And on August 4,

2000, the inauguration day of the hospital, He sent Dr. Safaya, the

director of His Super Specialty Hospital at Puttaparthi, as well as Sri

Indulal Shah, the then International Chairman of Sai Organisations, to

do the honours. On this D-Day were also present the Chief Minister of

Gujarat, Sri Keshubhai Patel, and along with him the whole cabinet.

After the unique edifice started functioning, Swami’s involvement

never diminished, in fact, it only increased.

 

 

 

 

 

The dedicated doctors of the hospital in the interview room in Prasanthi Nilayam

when He blessed the Hospital Project on January 4, 1995

 

 

He

constantly kept guiding the doctors and administrators at every

available opportunity. “The patient should always be seen as

Narayana-Swarupa (a likeness of God) and under no circumstance shall

the treatment be compromised” – This was His constant

message. Another important aspect that He always stressed was:

“There should be no bill book.” It is these two principles

which like unequivocal guideposts have shaped the philosophy of the Sri

Sathya Sai Heart Hospital at Rajkot. The mission of the hallowed health

centre says, “Our philosophy is to provide free access to

exemplary standards of heart care supported by state of the art

equipments to patients primarily from the weaker sections of the

society (irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion), who would,

otherwise, be deprived of such expensive heart care owing to lack of

financial resources.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These kids are all under His care... new hopes, new lives, new dreams....

 

 

It

is Swami who gave this noble vision and it is again He who was making

it materialize. How reputed Cardiac surgeons from UK, who are not even

devotees of Swami, fly down every year to serve at this Hospital

voluntarily for weeks is amazing. Dr. Chandrasekhar, a surgeon from St.

George’s Hospital, UK says, “The pace at which the patients

recover here is something extraordinary. What would take 2-3 days else

where, heals in 12 hours here! It is a joy and a privilege to work

here.” From a hospital, it has transformed itself into a ‘

Temple of love and Healing’. Thanks to the hospital, today Rabiya

and her family are more convinced than ever that Allah is looking after

them.

Hope for Rabiya in Rajkot

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mohammed at his tea stall

 

 

 

When

Rabiya, the daughter of a tea stall owner married to a daily wager,

developed heart complications, the family was devastated. Her husband,

Rashid could not even go for his daily earnings as he had to help

Rabiya at home. Their economic condition deteriorated to dismal levels

and Rabiya now returned to her father’s home.

 

For Mohammed, the father of six children including Rabiya, it was as if

somebody had placed a 100 kilo stone in his heart. Apart from financial

distress, the whole situation had triggered unpleasant family

repercussions. He wanted to do something at the earliest and on the

advise of a physician, he approached the Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad.

After a number of tests, the doctors gave their verdict: Rabiya had a

hole in her heart. The family was stunned. Mohammed visited the

hospital again, now looking for a possible cure. “Operation is

mandatory,” the doctors said - “It would cost at least a

lakh.”

The family now went into

unknown depths of depression. With such a terrible trauma on his head,

Mohammad now moved from pillar to post, to find a possible way out. He

found out the Government of Gujarat through the Chief Ministers Relief

Fund provided a 33% subsidy for poor people. But the hospital would not

take up the case unless he deposited the balance Rs. 60000. Mohamed

talked to his friends and relatives, but in vain. As if this was not

cruel enough, now there were fresh family problems with Rabiya and her

in-laws. Mohammed was deeply distraught and the family sunk further

into despair. How much worse can it get? Allah was their only refuge

now. Rabiya's mother prayed with tears coursing down her cheeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mohammed with his dear Rabiya

 

 

Mohamed,

the family’s patriarch and only hope, decided to go to the

hospital one more time. He met the senior cardiologist and explained to

him this pitiable predicament. He begged if he could be given more time

to make the payments. The cardiologist did not give him more time, in

fact, he removed all the burden from Mohammed’s head. He told

him, “Go to the Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital in Rajkot. All

operations there are conducted totally free of cost and there is no

discrimination of any kind.” Mohamed for a moment felt as light

as a feather, but slowly doubts started unsettling him. “How is

it that the operations are done totally free? There must be a

catch.” His mind was never at rest.

On

the next Thursday Mohamed and his wife took Rabiya to Rajkot, a

distance of 216 kms from their home-city, Ahmedabad. Rabiya again went

through a multitude of tests and the hole in the heart was confirmed.

She was advised medication to increase her weight and the hospital

informed them that they would soon receive an intimation giving them

the date of operation. Mohammed and family returned home, relieved and

happy. But friends and relatives took away his peace. One of them said,

“There should be some kind of ‘underhand dealing’ to

get the operation done”. “Or, maybe they might force you to

change your religion,” said another. For another 4-5 days, the

family’s distress and Mohammed’s mental trauma continued,

that is, until they received a postcard from the hospital. “Our

operation is scheduled on February 6, 2006,” the letter said.

Rabiya checked into the hospital two days in advance for preoperative

examinations and three days after the surgery she was on her way home,

serene and smiling. The family’s ordeal was finally over. Dr.

Mansuri, one of the physicians who had seen Rabiya earlier, was moved

to tears seeing the new Rabiya. He said, “In today’s time

when all - families, community, relationships - abandon each other in

time of need, Sai Baba has embraced us”. The family was jubilant.

“Allah has answered our prayers,” is all they say with

smiles brimming on their cheeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader of the Swaminarayan sect blesses the patients

 

Swami Ramdev, renowned yoga guru sharing

love with the patients

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Ramesh Bhai Oja, who entralls audiences with his talks on Bhagvat Purana, on a courtesy visit

 

Sri Morari bapu, holy man known for his beautiful exposition of the Ramayana, in the hospital

 

 

The Hospital - A Testimony to Selfless Love

Where

selfless love is, there God is. The hospital today stands as a

testimony to the whole world what pure love, when expressed in service,

can do. Over the years, many distinguished personalities, national and

international, have stepped into the portals of this ‘mansion of

love’; some came as curious visitors, some as willing-to-learn

social workers and some as inquisitive investigators. All of them

witnessed the unbelievable and left humbled paying homage to this

‘savior of the poor’. When the former Chief Minister of

Gujarat visited the place a couple of years ago, he left with the

hospital a cheque with a generous amount from his relief fund. Very

recently, the Rajkot Municipal corporation, as a mark of gratitude,

contributed a large sum to the hospital’s coffers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swami seeing the report of the Hospital in February 2006

 

....and blessing Sri Manoj Bhimani, one of the trustees

 

 

 

Till 2006, more than six hundred and forty such Rabiyas and Rashids

have found hope, health and happiness, and by 2008, the hospital

targets it will rise to surely one thousand. And these are patients not

only from in and around Rajkot or from the city of Ahmedabad, they come

from all over the state of Gujarat. At times, you will even find

patients from the far-north of India. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, the

world renowned Santoor maestro, on his visit to the hospital, was

surprised to find a patient from his home-state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Selfless love has become so scarce in the present times, any amount of

distance or ordeal is welcome once you are convinced it is assured.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swami Satchidananda, a revered saint of Gujarat

 

A group of Jain monks see the operation theatre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Uday Kotak of Kotak Mahindra Bank and Sri Parimal Nathwani, Head of Reliance Industries, Gujrat taking a tour of the hospital

 

Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, renowned Santoor maestro, sharing God's love during a

recent visit to the hospital

 

 

Healing the Poor through Service

But

the hospital’s Sai volunteers do not wait for patients to find

the hospital (in some cases, it might be too late); instead in their

zeal to reach out, they go into the villages, into habitations that are

obscure and poor. They organize Heart-Camps, identify people who need

cardiac help, listen to their complaints, register them, answer their

queries and then clearly direct them to the hospital. These camps are

moving for all the volunteers. “Sometimes, the economic condition

of the patients is so pitiable that we even have to give them money for

their auto charge or bus ticket to enable them to make that one and

only visit to the hospital for the operation,” says Sri Lalit

Advani, a spirited Sai volunteer. The whole exercise is as fulfilling

as it can be, as they reach out to people whose existence society does

not even acknowledge, let alone be concerned about their welfare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is Heart Camps like this conducted in cities, towns and in remote villages which offer a

chance to the poor and sick to rebuild their lives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Heals Hema Motwani

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hospital - Hema's heaven of hope

 

 

 

In

one such medical camp in 2005 conducted in the outskirts of Ahmedabad

city, the volunteers encountered Hema Motwani. Her husband,

Daulatram’s small shop had to cater to the needs of their family,

which apart from their own two children, also had Daulatram’s

parents. Hema was a diligent woman taking care of all the house-hold

chores as well as needs of her in-laws.

But

suddenly, due to some financial constraints when Daulatram sold his

shop, the stress for her was too much to bear and she suffered from

chest pains. Daulatram first took her to a hospital named Shantiprakash

where after undergoing tests, she was declared to be a heart patient.

Surgery was unavoidable. They approached the U. N. Mehta Institute of

Cardiac Research and Hospital which gave them an estimate of Rs. 1.25

lakhs, out of which 33% would be subsidized by the government.

Daulatram tried accumulating the remaining Rs. 83,750 but all efforts

proved futile. The diagnostic tests itself had drained his resources to

a great extent.

Just like Rabiya’s

family, this family too was in a state of utter helplessness. But here

fortunately there were no misguiding friends or relatives. In fact, it

was a good friend, a sevadal of the Sathya Sai organization, who

informed them about the Heart-Camp to be conducted in their area very

shortly. Daulatram saw a ray of hope as he recollected having donated

blood many a times for the blood donation camps conducted by the

organization.

Now, he knew there was a

solution. Soon, Hema was registered, tests conducted and duly operated.

All her stress evaporated, she was now smiling, shining and her active

self. When H2H asked her father-in-law what he thinks he will do for

his Lord, without a second thought in an asserting voice he said,

“Jaan hazir hain!”(I am ready to give my life!) That is how

much the Heart-Camps have done to connect people to the hospital and

heal their desperate lives.

Ramesh and Jyoti Receive a Second Chance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jyoti continued to be sick...

 

 

If

you recall, even Ramesh Gowda, (the story with which we started this

article) learnt about the hospital only after he read about a

Heart-Camp in a local newspaper. He even got registered and did receive

his scheduled date for Jyothi’s operation. But the ‘free

hospital’ doubts were dancing so dangerously on his head that he

let go of that opportunity. [This is something he could never forgive

himself in the days to come.]

In the

meantime, Jyothi’s condition only worsened, it was as if the

‘light of his life’ was getting enveloped with increasing

darkness every passing day.

In a state of

desperation, Ramesh contacted some of the people who were present with

him at the first Heart Camp. He wanted to know: Were their surgeries

successful? Was it really free? What did the hospital demand? He was

shocked to hear the responses. All were operated successfully barely

fifteen days after the camp and they were happy, with no complaints

whatsoever. He realized that all his fears were completely unfounded.

Immediately a wave of guilt gnawed his entire being. He felt, “It

is I who is responsible for my daughter’s pathetic

situation.” He could barely speak to his wife, Lila. His

transformation was immediate and repentance was paramount on his mind.

In no time, he managed to get a photo of Baba and decided to pray till

He did something to improve Jyoti’s health.

 

Something interesting happened now. Within a few days, the unemployed

Ramesh got a small job. They had now a means of living. In another two

months, there was a bonus: additional part-time work supplementing his

income. The family was getting fed now, but Jyoti’s heart was

still left to its creator’s grace. As they prayed and cursed

themselves of the missed opportunity, a wave of joy swept out all the

melancholy when Ramesh noticed the date of another Heart Camp to be

held in his area. His only worry now was whether he will be given

another chance. The doors of pure love are always open. In fact, they

say, God is waiting like the early morning warm rays of the Sun to

enter our beings if only we make at least a tiny hole in the wooden

door of our heart.

Jyothi’s New Life Shines

 

So without any objections, Jyothi was registered and even given the

date of operation then and there. The Gowdas reached Rajkot from

Ahmedabad, a day earlier to the operation. The next day Jyothi was

operated upon and the day after she was discharged. The ailing heart

had found its solace and Jyothi, a new life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Jyothi smiling - happiness has returned to the family, thanks to His grace

 

Swami now rests permanently in their hearts and

in the family shrine

 

 

 

The Gowdas, today, are a changed family. When H2H visited the Gowdas on

the eve of Bhagavan’s Swami’s 81 st birthday, they were in

a great mood, celebrating the occasion distributing sweets to the

neighbors. They have never seen Swami physically; they just know His

ashram is in Andhra Pradesh. Nevertheless, for them, now Sai Baba is

all. When asked about visiting Puttaparthi, the enthused and energetic

Jyothi says, “Mai Zaroor Jaongi" (I will surely go) with a smile and spirit of somebody beyond her years.

The Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital Stands as a Beacon of Love

 

 

 

 

 

 

If

this not a miracle, then what is! The Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital has

not only healed the physical hearts of hundreds but also allowed them

access to that ‘colossus store of positive energy and

inspiration’ by awakening and enlivening each one’s

spiritual hearts. While these are the individual effects on each

patient and their near and dear ones, on the global level, it has

magnificently demonstrated what many medical administrators and other

health professionals think is far-fetched or utopian.

The

general conclusion when people contemplate on Swami’s Super

Specialty Hospitals, both in Bangalore and Puttaparthi, is that,

“These hospitals are running completely free because of

Swami’s physical involvement and to replicate these is simply

unthinkable in current times.” Sometime ago, when the editor of

SWISSMED (Swiss Review for Medicine and Medical Technology), Mr. Felix

Wust, asked Dr. Safaya, the Director of Swami’s Hospital at

Puttaparthi, the same question - if such ‘free hospitals’

can be replicated in the West - he said, “Why not? I do not think

Westerners are devoid of sympathy for people. I do not think the West

is lacking in the type of people who think serving man is serving

God.” There lies the key. Before the developed world has even

contemplated on such an idea, it is there for the whole world to see in

one of the poorest regions of developing India! With pure love anything

is possible. There is nothing in the world that selfless love cannot

achieve and if anybody wants more proof, the resplendent Sri Sathya Sai

Heart Hospital at Rajkot stands as a beacon, embracing one and all into

its bosom of love.

- Heart2Heart Team

 

 

 

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_05/01MAR07/06-sai_seva.htm