Mangalore : Thank You Readers - Your Support Creates Miracle...
by Walter Nandalike
Editor-in-chief
Daijiworld.com
Mangalore, May 10 : It was just last month, on April 19, when a humble appeal was posted on daijiworld column seeking help for an 18-year-old, smart, brilliant and beautiful girl from Uppinangady who was fighting for her life at KMC Hospital, Mangalore. Her parents Oswald and Precilla Pinto had very little hopes for Olivia, for, on the one hand she was diagnosed with GB syndrome (a disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system, with no definite causes), and on the other hand, they had no financial support for her treatment. A few known donors helped her through the initial treatment, but it hardly sufficed as the amount required for her complete treatment was not less than Rs five lac.
A first year BCom student brilliant in her studies, Olivia was a great hope for the future of this family, whose sole bread winner Oswald Pinto is struggling to make ends meet.
Through some good samaritans, the request was passed on to daijiworld seeking help. After careful scrutiny, we felt the need for getting financial support for Olivia to help her recover, and published the appeal like any other request, as Daijiworld has been bringing such appeals to its readers for over a decade now.
The appeal touched the hearts of the huge reader-base of daijiworld, and within a span of a few hours not only promises started pouring in, but also people's prayers, which overwhelmed the needy family.
Oswald Pinto could not control his emotions when he visited Daijiworld office in Mangalore on Monday May 9. "I just cannot describe my feelings, all of a sudden I felt the entire world was standing with me, and supporting me in my efforts to save my daughter's life. In a single day I received not less than 400 calls from all corners of the world, right from USA, Canada, London, and all parts of the Gulf countries, people assured me their support.
"Some of them said they would send money, and many assured us their prayers. People told me not to lose hope, 'to just believe in the almighty, your daughter will be back with a smile...'" he recalled, and with a folded hand said, "I can't say more than this, this goes to everyone, to people all over the world who remitted money and prayed for my daughter Olivia.
"Hail almighty, she is now out of the ICU, she is not only out of danger but also responding positively to the treatment. She has even started eating normal food. She has shown great recovery, and all this has happened only because of the support from daijiworld readers all over the world. Almighty listens to prayers, and prayers turn into miracles. I do not know how to repay this gratitude..." said Oswald with tears in his eyes.
"What really touched my heart is that people from all walks of life called me up and reassured me, consoled me. Religion was no bar, and I was stunned to see the humility of people - there were very few who were known to us, others were all strangers. Humanity was at its peak and there was no boundary of religion or region when they offered their support," these were the exact words of Oswald Pinto, whose happiness was unmeasurable during his visit daijiworld office.
He also thanked several people who visited the hospital to give courage and moral support to the family and to see Olivia, after the appeal was published. Many people from Mangalore and around contributed for Olivia's cause.
Pinto made a special mention of Dr Antony Pais, a neurosurgeon at Narayana Hrudayala, Bangalore who, after reading the news on daijiworld personally called up Oswald Pinto and offered his full support and promised free treatment if she could be brought to Bangalore. But shifting Olivia at that point of time was not advisable, and moreover, the doctors in KMC hospital had been extremely helpful and were keeping alive the hopes of the family. Nevertheless, Pinto expressed a special gratitude to Dr Pais for the good thought during his hour of need.
Though the required amount has been met for now, the family may need some more assistance for Olivia's treatment in the future, until she recovers completely.
We at daijiworld, once again bow before our readers with great appreciation for each and every person who stood by the cause, either by contributing financially or praying for the family, giving them courage, extending moral support or by just being there.
Daijiworld will continue to bring forth any such appeal to the readers, after careful scrutiny. There will not be any caste, creed or religious barrier for such appeals.
We feel extremely happy and proud to say that readers of daijiworld have contributed over Rs 4 crore in total, by remitting directly to the account of the beneficiaries, for different causes like medical, education, housing, sports or other deserving cases brought to light by us.
Let us make a difference to this world by reaching out to the needy today, because no one has seen tomorrow.
Earlier :