MUMBAI: Virar resident Suraj Kadam promised his three siblings that his participation in dahi handi this year would be his last. Tragically, the 25-year-old, who worked as an office boy, suffered severe cervical injury after he fell from the second tier of the human pyramid on Thursday. He faces the prospect of life with paralysis of lower limbs.
Suraj is among 195 govindas injured during dahi handi festivities. While the injury toll is less than last year's 222, nearly 20 govindas were in hospitals on Friday. Besides Suraj, a 30-year-old 'govinda' suffered spine injury at KEM Hospital, but is likely to recover as the paralysis is restricted to the ankle and foot. Over 177 govindas were discharged.
KEM doctors said Suraj suffered fracture of the C5 vertebra that led him to lose sensation chest down. Medical superintendent Dr Mohan Desai said Surajsuffered paraparesis, rendering his lower body powerless and causing loss of bladder and bowel control besides weakness in his hands.
Suraj and the second patient will undergo decompression surgeries on Saturday. Dr Desai expressed a grim outlook for Suraj, stating he may not regain ability to walk due to the higher-level spine fracture. Doctors said Suraj might, in short term, develop respiratory complications as his thoracic muscles are paralysed.
The incident has left the family in distress, especially Suraj's sister, Sampada (23), who is struggling to come to terms with the life-altering event. "We're told he may not walk again and will need long-term rehabilitation. We don't know how to afford everything," she said. Sampada and another sister work while a younger sibling is at school.
What adds to their concern is that Suraj was not part of a registered dahi handi group, leaving him without any medical coverage. Suraj has been head of the family since their parents died four years ago.
With a dozen admissions, KEM Hospital had the most patients till Friday. Of them, three underwent surgery. Two were admitted to Bandra's Bhabha Hospital and Rajawadi Hospital, and one each to Veer Savarkar Hospital and BDBA Hospital in Kandivli.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.Sumitra Deb Roy is a health journalist with more than 17 years of...
Read MoreSumitra Deb Roy is a health journalist with more than 17 years of experience across India’s leading newspapers. She is currently a senior assistant editor with the Times of India, where she has extensively covered the Covid-19 pandemic and highlighted the unprecedented challenges faced by the health systems in Mumbai and Maharashtra. She recently co-authored a book titled “Mumbai Fights Back” that chronicles the city’s battle with Covid-19. She holds a postgraduate degree in journalism from the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai and a bachelor’s in political science from Calcutta University.
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