Dr. Sudha Mallareddy
PETALS
We Petals venture into an assignment or task after full scrutiny and survey. We intend to reach out to the most needy and deserving persons.
Just a few days ago we came to know about a unique PAPER PEN from Mr. Subhojit Saha. This pen has seeds embedded in it, which when sown (after using the pen) in soil will sprout into plants and trees. The pen is mightier than the sword. This eco-friendly pen is mightier still as it will provide the much needed greenery and livelihood too. This pen with an extraordinary concept need to be spread far and wide.
In the begining we involved 20 of our blind hawker brothers and offered them 100 pens each to sell and spread awareness. We introduced Subhojit to them. In a few days time the demand for this ecofriendly pen has risen a lot with requests of thousands of pens. We could distribute these to some schools in Shantiniketan and Sunderban with the help of other NGOs and also in other institutions. Alok Chowdhury (whose robotic hands replacement done few days ago) is also trying to stand on his own feet by selling these Paper pens provided by Petals.
So far Baranagar Petals has successfully provided about 10,000 ecofriendly paper pens, free of cost to some blinds and differently abled persons to be sold by them at different places of West Bengal. In just one month, the blind brothers and sisters were able to sell about 42,000 pens on their own. This has helped these persons regain their lost self confidence and self respect. Petals is spreading smiles across the state.
PETALS is also associated with “Society for the welfare of the Blind” association in Naktala. Subhojit Saha has joined us in this work with his eco-friendly pen. Today, all those blind brothers and sisters are happily moving forward on this new path.
On 5thJune 2022 (World Environment Day): Petals went with Shubhjit Saha and eco-friendly pens to Jorabagan Traffic Guard, Shobha Bazar Street. On behalf of the Petals family, 500 eco-friendly pens were handed over to Mr. Ashish Dutta who is the main person of “Medical Bank” and “Navadisha” school. Purpose is to bring about a radical change in society by changing the way we think every day. The seeds of love for the environment should be planted even in small children.
We are in talks with some Puja committees to disperse the idea along with the seeds. All this was possible because of the hard work, dedication and sincerity of Subhojit and of course our blind brothers and sisters. This small initiative is bringing bright smiles and happiness in the lives of those involved. Let’s all get hold of a packet of these environment friendly pens and disperse the idea behind it.
Request you all to offer charity to the needy ones but not the greedy ones. Thank you.
Burima (Smt. Bhawani Bhattacharya) has completed two months in R G KAR Hospital, Kolkata. Her memories are her only possession: no Aadhaar card, no bank account, and no voter ID. After a deep head injury on 13/04/2022, she lay bleeding on the footpath near Dum Dum station, where more than 50,000 commuters pass by, busy with their own business and not a second to spare for this injured mother.
With timely help from kind-hearted people and the police, we Petals could take this unknown elderly mother to R G KAR Hospital where she was given preliminary first aid & dressing and discharged. As the injury was much deep and neglected, it aggravated leading to maggot infestation. Another struggle began – daily dressings, medicines, and food provided, with little improvement in her condition.
At this juncture, two NGOs (Manabik Chandpur and Red Flash) joined our struggle. R G KAR hospital’s superintendent to has been kind enough. After a long battle Burimaa was admitted to the surgical department on 19/04/2022. With the continuous support of medicines, protein food, and dressings, Burima is on the path to recovery. In our limited capacity, we have done everything possible for the elderly. She was not allowed to understand even for a day that she is an unwanted person in our society, who can be despised by the educated society but cannot be respected. We have taken all the necessary measures. On 31/05/2022 she got transferred to the Plastic Surgery ward after a long struggle. On 09/06/2022 Burimaa’s Plastic Surgery was done successfully. Hospital doctors have been very cooperative. Our old mother is on her way to final recovery.
There is no end to our gratitude to all those people who stood by our side without the slightest resentment. Advantages and disadvantages are shared with us at every moment. We all have very few abilities but if all those abilities are combined then many impossible things can be accomplished.
A place for her to live has already been arranged. We are only waiting for her complete recovery. A new family is waiting for our beloved old mother. All that is needed is the Love of us all. We together can become her an extended family to care for and shower love and compassion for a neglected mother in the last few years of her life. Please keep her in your prayers. Let’s together gift her the luxury of a caring family.