“When I was in the 11th grade my father went missing, leaving my mother, brother and I to fend for ourselves. A few years later, my mother was detected with cancer and at that point in time my life was in turmoil. We managed to get the funds for her treatment but what we didn’t have was knowledge of multiple schemes which could have helped us.
During her treatment at the KEM hospital,Mumbai,India there were many families like mine which were from weaker financial backgrounds but in the time of need we would help each other out by sharing medicines and sometimes a wholesome meal. When I would skip class to look after my mother, the doctors or other families there would tell me to go and study and look after her — that’s where I realised that compassion for others is the only way forward.
As told to be my Saurabh nirwakar