Jaipur : A 45-year-old Kosovan national, who had his lower legs amputated, was provided with a free pair of prosthetic limbs by the makers of the famous Jaipur Foot Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayta Samiti (BMVSS) at its Malviya Nagar center here on Friday.
Syl Kodra, belongs to Prizren city of Kosava and gets a small sum of $ 75 (about Rs 4500) as monthly pension for being a disabled by the Kosovan government.
He was provided with a German made artificial limb by his government that cost about $ 15,000 (about Rs 10 lakh). But the German made artificial limbs could last for barely two years and Kodra needed a new pair of artificial limbs which he could ill-afford.
Shqipe Malushi, who is a US-based personal and professional development coach and consultant and who is of Kosovan origin met Kodra who was in bad shape both physically and morally. Malushi gave him confidence and moral support. Malushi, who is a regular visitor to India where he comes for giving lectures, was told about the Jaipur Foot by one of his close family friends Anand Bhaiyya of Jaipur. Bhaiyya told her that Kodra can get a new pair of Jaipur Foot free if could come to Jaipur.
Malushi on her part had approached 30 various charitable organisations in United States and had requested these organisations to provide the artificial limbs free to Kodra,but none of the 30 organisations came forward to help a disabled and they demanded money for it which Kodra could ill-afford. Malushi, then got in touch with the founder and chief patron of the BMVSS D R Mehta, who instantly assured Malushi that Kodra would be provided the Jaipur Foot free if could make the trip to Jaipur.
Malushi with great difficulty tried to raise funds for the air ticket of Kodra and was helped by her generous friends and she brought Kodra to Jaipur.
At BMVSS, a team led by technical in charge Om Prakash Sharma examined Kodra and after taking his measurement prepared the artificial limbs for both his legs within two days.
