A Day With Cancer Fighters

CSR isn't a particular programme, it's what we do every day, maximizing positive impact and minimising negative impact. – Jamie Lawrence

Cancer didn’t bring me to my knees, it brought me to my feet. It came, I fought, I won – Michael Douglas

When the wind blows there are those that build walls and then there are those that build windmills.

– Jamie Lawrence

     The first quote identifies with the ethos of the Sword Arm of the Indian Navy. The days the Navy Day is replete with a flurry of activity to showcase our fine Indian Navy. One of the recent has been a CSR for the past 4 yrs, inviting the Cancer inmates of Tata Memorial hosp for Helo display at INS Shikra followed by a Harbour cruise for them from the Naval Dockyard. The next two quotes are dedicated to the Lady who spearheaded this initiative four years ago and has been following it up every year. The Lady who has conquered Cancer herself; has dedicated her life to Tata Memorial Hospital as theirs. She is ‘the Lady with the Lamp’, Mrs Janki Bhandoola.

    The tryst with Life of Mrs Janki has been Soul-stirring for her during her conquest over her Cancer. Having won over it successfully She has dedicated her Life for the inmates of Tata Memorial Hospital that she regularly visits as a Sr Counselor. Lets read about it in her narrative.

I FOUGHT, I WON

I had gone to Asvini to get a clearance for running for the marathon which was a prerequisite. You can imagine my shock when I got the Bad” news. I was numb. Every year, I May, I go to the U.S. to visit my children and grandchildren. This was a double shock to me. No visit to see my kin and no marathon experience.

I was sure I was going to Die. Swallowing my fear, I first made my will. Then put names to the jewellery I wanted distributed to who. Cmde. Phantom my surgeon, and Lt Col Ajit Venniyoor my medical specialist, Dr. Ketayun Dinshaw (from Tata Memoral hospital) kept assuring me I was going to LIVE. I gave them a hard time proving me wrong . I went through surgeries, Radiations and landing up in ICU after every chemo. I was sick as a dog and weak as a kitten and with a bald head to boot. Now I just wanted to die. Until my children started turning up one by one to boost me up. The turning point was my grandchildren who started crying on the phone saying they could not all come to India to see me. Emotionally, on the spur of the moment, to stop their tears, I made a promise to them that I would soon come and visit. Having made that promise there was no going back. I had to fight this dreaded disease if I wanted to keep my promise to see my grandchildren.

       I want to thank Cmde Phanthome for patiently booking the operation theatre, and cancelling it repeatedly because I was too chicken to go through the surgeries and rescheduling them again and again; to Col Venniyoor who spent sleepless nights on my chemo day in Asvini to see that I come out of my coma safely and not slip to the other side. I remember once waking up at 4 in the morning in Asvini to see Col. Venniyoor in a chair. I could only look at him saying” Doc, go Home. Your wife will soon be wondering who you are sleeping with”. He smiled tiredly saying: If I can joke, he can go home knowing I was mending.” I want to thank Dr. Dinshaw who gave me a purpose wanting me to become a cancer counselor ., to my husband, Cmde. Suresh Bhandoola. Vsm who himself had just finished fighting Prostrate Cancer himself.. and to my three children, Avinash Bhandoola NIH, Ajay Bhandoola of World Bank, and Anmol Mullins of Takeda, and my grandchildren Ryan, Andre, Hunter and Andre who gave me the reason to LIVE.(reason d'etre )

And to thanking cancer. It Taught Me to be GOOD if not better, It taught me to accept mutilation of my body if I want to live and still love that mutilated body and care for it. It taught me How to Live, to fight any calamity, to have faith and trust in myself and Go d, And above all to value Life and Love knowing that today you are alive. Tomorrow anything can Happen. So live Life.

LIFE IS TO LIVE

       Anyone who has returned from the tunnel of death become a changed person and tries to live for others. She dedicated her life to taking care of Cancer fighters and the Veterans admitted in INHS Asvini. Her children and grandchildren celebrated her Platinum Jubilee Birthday on 15th Mar this year (Link below). She spoke to VAdm Ajit Kumar P (CinC West) when the Adm had invited us at Navy House during Diwali and reminded about our CSR towards Cancer inmates. The Adm instructed the HQ staff and 18th Nov was planned for the visit of about 90 children and staff of Tata Hosp starting from 1330 to 1700. It was Kind of Mrs Janki to invite Meena and I to accompany them for the visit. We left Borivali at 1130 hrs to reach Shikra in time.

SHIKRA VISIT & HARBOUR CRUISE 

         The children seemed excited when two busses of Tata Hosp wheeled cautiously into the Shikra arch-gate. The busses were directed to the dispersal area and the staff were greeted by Cmde and Mrs Vartak (the Commanding Officer and the First Lady of the Air Station), Captain Sri Vatsa, the Captain(Air) and LCdr Harnam Singh (LCdt Flying). It was a pleasure to meet Cmde Vartak, who was a part of the ‘Sagar Pawan’ Kiran aerobatic team that visited Kolkata for a Formation Aerobatic display in 2006.(Link to its Blog below).  The entourage was escorted to the dispersal area where elaborate seating had been catered for everyone. The LCdr(Flying) gave an elaborate commentary as Chetak, the work-horse of the Navy, carried out hover, side slip and load-carrying displays that drew huge applause from the spectators.

        The spectators were then formed in two groups and alternately briefed by the pilots about the Chetak and SeaKing helicopters parked in the Hangar. The inquisitive children had plenty of queries. LCdr Harnam Singh even tenderly carried small kids in his arms (pic below). Post the walk around in the Hangar the entourage was escorted out and handed food packets of delicious assorted snacks and a soft drink prior to boarding the bus. There was a Photo session with CO, Sr Pilots, Counselors, and staff prior departure. Mrs Janki and Self thanked the CO and Capt (Air) for a very informative and well organised visit. The Busses left Shikra at 1430 hrs for Lion’s gate for the Harbour cruise.

HARBOUR CRUISE

  The Busses entered Lion’s gate a little before 1500 hrs and after the security clearance headed for the Boat Pool. Children and staff were received by the C of Y staff. Cmde Sobti, the C of Y and Capt Rehman his deputy were at the Embarkation Point to welcome us. After briefing and handing over of the indemnity bonds, the children and staff boarded the large COY ferry craft, cautiously stepping down from the jetty to pontoon. Prior to entering the ferry craft, each person was handed over a food packet in a paper bag. The boat was well decorated with balloons and the C of Y staff welcomed everyone on the top deck with adequate seating arrangement and a large banner (pic below) The boat smoothly casted off at 1530 and proceeded out of the inner basin. The children and staff were equally excited to see the warships all around, including two huge passenger cruise liners on the outer side and one on the northern anchorage. The commentator spoke in shudh Hindi on the PA system and described the Gateway of India, Taj, Middle ground, the Sailing club area together with the ships plying in the harbour. After about 45 mins of the cruise we headed back. People on top deck happily snapped themselves in pairs and groups during the cruise. As we re-entered the inner harbour there was a motor boat that had been detailed for photo/videography. We came alongside after a merry hour long cruise.  We thanked the C of Y and the Staff for a well organised Harbour Cruise, before proceeding to INS Mumbai for a well organised short visit.

      After the time spent in Shikra and the Harbour cruise, Janki Ma’am initially thought that the children would be exhausted and she told them that those who are tired could stay in the bus. But none would hear of it. INS Mumbai was like a magnet for them. Her imposing Foxle, Guns and Missile launchers were fascinating to them as they went around with eyes wide open. They were allowed to handle a sniper rifle which made them excited and happy. Each child was presented a memento of a magnet with a Ship’s image, a parting gift that they treasured as a jewel to culminate a fabulous day of their life to be cherished forever.   

       The Tata memorial children and staff profusely thanked the Indian Navy for a superbly organised visit to INS Shikra and the Dockyard and wished Janki Ma’am and all of us a very Happy Navy day.

Shano Varuna … Jai Hind.