The city of Jaipur in Rajasthan is a fascinating historical city and the gateway to one of India’s most flamboyant states. At the city’s heart, you are constantly reminded of its royal legacy as you witness the splendors of its majestic past. While Jaipur is known for its beautiful palaces, monuments and forts, another equally important and unique landmark of the city is the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti.

Founded in 1975 by Mr. D.R. Mehta, BMVSS is the world’s largest organization working in the field of rehabilitation of the physically disabled. Since the very beginning the mission of the organization has been to provide prosthetics or artificial limbs, calipers and other physical aids free of charge to the underprivileged sections of the society over the years, BMVSS has pioneered the usage and large scale fitment of the Jaipur foot, knee, and limb and has helped in rehabilitation of over 1.5 million disabled people.

The organization also distributes hand paddled tricycles, wheelchairs, and crutches to patients with multiple disabilities. Impressed by this, in January 2015, the Infosys Foundation began its association with BMVSS and decided to further support its mission of providing the best prosthetic treatment to the less fortunate.

^{The staffs of BMVSS working on prosthetics and artificial limbs}

Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation says – ‘BMVSS is an organization which makes artificial limbs. They are researching artificial hands. People from Bangladesh, West Bengal, Kerala, and Jammu & Kashmir come for help here. These people are normally poor and there’s always a long waiting period. When the foundation visited, BMVSS said they require an advanced camera so it can take the exact measurements of the foot and the way they function. All these can expedite their work, so we decided to help in Research & Development activities which would reduce the waiting period for the patient.’

With support from the Infosys Foundation, the organization was able to refine its processes and rapidly scale up operations to benefit a large number of patients. Besides this, BMVSS has also been able to venture into research activities to improve the quality and reduce the cost of its orthotic and prosthetic aids.

Siddiqui Wahida Jameen, Patient says – 'My legs were removed 8 months ago because of diabetes. It was difficult to move around. Many people had come here and got new feet and they had praised the work done here. After listening to this we came here. I have got a cycle, now it’s easy to travel around. I can go anywhere, even to the market. I can buy things and everything has become easier.'

Rajpal Singh, a patient who lost his leg in a truck accident says – ‘I was a labourer on a truck earlier and lost my leg in an accident. One of my friends told me about the Jaipur foot. I came here in 1988 to get a new leg and once they put it, I was very happy and overjoyed. Earlier, I couldn’t go to the bathroom on my own. Now I can do it myself, I can also do any kind of work with ease. I can also cycle, and I set up a small shop. It has given me a new life.’

^{Rajpal is given a new lease of life by the aid of his artificial leg}

The foundation is also supporting the research of a prosthetic hand with field trials and development of accessories for Jaipur hand which will impact many lives and allow them to become independent members the society.

Mr. D.R. Mehta, Founder, Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti says – ‘Almost 800-100 persons, depending on what kind of limb we are providing or caliper we are providing, are getting rehabilitated physically. The Maloney amputee walks like you and me without the stick. He can run, he can climb a tree; he can do all the things which he was doing earlier. This Foundation’s money has helped so many people. So this is the kind of great help we received and we are so grateful to the Infosys Foundation for this generous help.’

As Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti tries to reach across geographies and enhance its support, Infosys Foundation will continue in its endeavour to provide equal opportunities to those who want to re-live the dreams they had lost.

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