Nineteen-year-old Garima Joshi was, till a few months ago, a wind whisperer – an ace athlete who smiled her way to bring home laurels to her hometown in district Almora of our hill-state. Today the youngster lies helpless on a hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, her dreams in tatters. She needs monetary help as well as the prayers of all her well-wishers.
On May the 27th, Garima was in Bangalore to take part in the Gold Level Race organised by the International Association of Athletic Federation. She came sixth, winning a gold medal. Four days later, on May 31st, she was hit by an unknown vehicle, which left her bed-ridden and paralyzed. For the last two months, with only her father beside her, Garima has been through countless operations on her spinal cord and legs, but made little progress.
Speaking to us from Bangalore, a heart broken Puran Joshi, Garima’s father says: ‘For the two months Garima has been bed ridden. Her spinal injury has left her impaired with constant pain and suffering, but she is fighting like a true sportsmen and hasn’t given up hope.” Till date Garima’s father has paid close to twelve lakh rupees to the hospital for her treatment and with funds running out, they can only hope and pray for a miracle.
Garima’s family is a Below Poverty Line cardholder from Ranikhet, Almora. Mortgaging his land and home, Puran Joshi gathered five lakhs to pay for implanting eight support rods into Garima’s spinal cord. Along with his daughter, Puran is taking turns caring for her mother Asha Joshi a terminal patient at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. Her eighteen-year-old sibling works as a domestic help in Mumbai to make ends meet.
Since, Garima’s story broke in the media help has trickled in. On hearing of her plight, the Chief Minister Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat has assured: “All possible help!” Hope the ambiguity doesn’t leave a star athlete high and dry in her moment of need.
For those who can help Garima get back on her feet, the details of Puran Joshi’s are as under:
Bank:- PNB. Dwarahat Almora; Asha Joshi and Pooran Joshi
Ac/no: 6689000100024914
Ifsc code: PUNB0668900
Pooran Joshi’s mobiles: 9410725229/8938822456
