Thirteen-year-old Dipali Mukulia's world had come crashing down when her medical report showed that she had cancer.
In a world where most people hardly have the time or inclination to help others, good samaritans are still around, even if they themselves are impoverished.
Thirteen-year-old Dipali Mukulia will agree to it.
Dipali's world had come crashing down when her medical report showed that she had cancer.
Alone in the metropolis to earn her bread as a housemaid, she could barely think of her treatment. The future seemed uncertain.
The family in south Kolkata, where she worked for two years, tried to get her some treatment, but she soon left for her home.
Dipali's own family at Krishnanagar Bazar in South 24-Praganas district, earned little and found it difficult to feed several mouths and could hardly take care of her costly treatment.
"We didn't have the money to pay for Dipali's treatment and didn't know what to do," her mother Seema Mukulia said. Unwelcome in her own family and jobless, the teen-aged girl returned to the metropolis, but didn't know where to go.
"I was desperate and came back to Kolkata with the hope that I may still get work and arrange for my treatment. I met Aparna Das whom I knew in the Sarbasikhsya Abhijan School which I used to attend," she said.
"After knowing my plight, Aparna took me to her parents who readily accepted me as one of their child and asked me to live with them."
Ever since, Babu Das, Aparna's now so-called father, has not only been arranging for her treatment, but she is also being sent to school regularly.
Das, who earns a meagre sum by cleaning taxis, was hopeful that the family would be able to stand by the sick girl and ensure her treatment.
"We have to arrange food for four and we can always accommodate a fifth member. Dipali is like our daughter and we will do everything possible to help her out of this situation," he said.
Dipali is presently undergoing treatment at the Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital.
"The treatment has led to gynaecological problems as her ovary and uterus have been affected for which treatment was also on", said Dr. Subir Gangopadhyay, who has been attending on her at the hospital.
Dipali's story is an exemplary case of a courageous young girl battling severe odds, he said.
"It really is a unique example of humanity and it is not only me but everybody in the hospital who is trying to help this young girl. We will do whatever is needed to get her cured," Dr Gangopadhyay, attending on the girl, said.
Dipali, though sick, continues to go to school and at home tries her hand at decorating idols of Laxmi and Ganesh which fetches her a little money.
"The meagre amount I earn goes towards my treatment. I am trying to extend my helping hand to the family which has been so kind to me," she said, adding "it gives me a lot of satisfaction."
"I don't know how long I can go to school, but if I am given the opportunity, I want to be a doctor like Dr Gangopadhyay who helps people like us. I also want to help people who don't have money for their treatment," Dipali said.
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