Kumbh Mela is more than just a religious festival. It is a mega-story of the confluence of people and their different cultures. While lakhs of people are visiting Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to take a holy dip in the Ganges, an NGO, Narayan Seva Sansthan (NSS) has taken this opportunity to reach as many people as they can.

Treating differently-abled for free

By treating the differently-abled free of cost, NSS has constantly been making a mark in the society. The organisation, based out of Udaipur in Rajasthan, has set up a camp in Kumbh’s Sector 14 where they are treating people with disabilities for free. Talking to The Logical Indian, Prashant Agarwal, President of Narayan Seva Sansthan, said, “We have established 100 bedded hospital for every one where we are offering free health services, food, daily prayers, yoga, traditional and religious dance performances, Katha and Bhajan.”

The camp started its operations on January 14 and will continue serving its patients till February 20. While this is the organisation’s fourth time at the Kumbh Mela, they have invited volunteers from all over the country who will be involved in cleanliness, the operation of wheelchairs and giving foot massages to the devotees.

Additionally, a team of senior doctors and surgeons will be available at the spot to help the differently-abled people with finding the right measure for their artificial limbs. Along with that, the Sansthan has set up a surgical camp with an artificial limb development workshop.

Kumbh Mela happens once every 12 years on the banks of the ‘Sangam’- the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati – in Allahabad and this is the largest and most sacred gathering of humans at a particular place. It is the largest human gathering in the world, with over 130 million pilgrims and saints taking a holy dip for over 55 days. Over the last few days, the organisation has conducted over 45 corrective surgeries whereas over 17 artificial limbs have been distributed till date.

Nestled between the hilly terrain of the Aravallis, NSS has built what it calls a ‘Smart Village’- a self-equipped compound which empowers underprivileged differently-abled people. The organisation’s noble work does not end there. Not only does NSS provide medical treatments free of cost, but also provide vocational skills training while the patients are in recovery.

The compound houses a modern hospital facility, a school, an orphanage, skills development centres, rehabilitation and physiotherapy centres as well. The organisation’s emphasis on free vocational training courses for people with disabilities is what makes NSS so unique.

The beginning of NSS

NSS began its operations in 1985 and was set up by Padma Shri awardee Kailash Agarwal ‘Manav’, however, their work was exclusively restricted to social service. It wasn’t until 1997 that the organisation opened its doors to the differently-abled people. Presently, NSS’s prime mission is to rehabilitate the differently-abled and enable them to live with dignity, hence the emphasis on vocational training courses.

NSS runs two hospitals which house 1100 beds in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Apart from that, 480 branches in India and 49 branches abroad work in tandem to alleviate disabilities. With 125 medical staff, the two hospitals conduct over 70 surgeries on a daily basis. The relentless efforts of a dedicated team have helped to operate on over three lakh individuals free of cost. NSS has set up similar facilities in Uganda as well where the organisation has helped thousands of people with disabilities. The Logical Indian applauds the efforts of the organisation in helping those in need.

Also Read: First Dalit Akhara Head In Kumbh Mela Calls For “Gharwapsi” Of Those Who Left Hinduism