Revolutionary artificial limb ‘Jaipur Foot’ to celebrate its success story of touching 2 million amputees
Celebrated dancer Ms. Sudha Chandran and others to share life experiences
Renowned poet Shri Kumar Vishwas to render a poetic evening
Hyderabad, 22 December 2023: The pioneer in artificial limb known around the world as Jaipur Foot by Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) - Hyderabad Branch is celebrating its 20th anniversary on 6 January 2024 at Shilpakala Vedika in Hitech City by hosting “The UNSTOPABBLES”, a program to honor those who did not allow disability to stand in the way of fulfilling their dreams. The list includes Ms. Sudha Chandran - renowned dancer and actor; Mr. Vikram Agnihotri - Activist and Motivational Speaker, Manoj Bhingare - Artist , Naga Naresh Karutura - an IIT Chennai alumna, presently working with Google USA; Mr. Suraj Tiwari, civil service batch of 2022 , Shri Hari Budha Magar - War Veteran & Mountaineer, who scaled the Mount Everest who will share their stories of hope, inspiration and success with their limbs. Along with felicitations will be an unforgettable Kavi Sammelan by renowned Kavi Shri Kumar Vishwas and his team. Mr P.C.Parakh, IAS (Retd), Patron & Mr Inder Chand Jain, Hon Secretary of BMVSS will address the press.
The Jaipur Foot is functionally and aesthetically closest to human foot in terms of flexions, functions and cosmetics. By its help, a below knee amputee can walk even on uneven ground, run, climb a tree or a mountain, sit cross legged, crouch, ride a cycle, drive a car and swim. According to a Time Magazine report, the Jaipur Foot has revolutionized life for millions of landmine amputees besides road accident cases, electric short circuit, and gangrene. The limb cost is $70 against a global cost of $10,000. JAIPUR Foot has rehabilitated 2 million amputees for free.
By the support of reputed universities such as MIT and Stanford and IIT among others, BMVSS has been supported for upgrading its technology. A special four bar linkage knee joint for above knee amputees has been developed in collaboration with the Stanford University. The TIME Magazine (issue of 23rd Nov 2009) hailed this Stanford-Jaipur Knee as one of the 50-Best Inventions in the world of the year 2009. MIT USA, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), IITs of – Madras, Delhi, Mumbai, and Jodhpur as also MNIT – Jaipur too are helping BMVSS in upgrading and developing new aids and appliances. BMVSS has been given Special Consultative Status with the Economic & Social Council of the United Nations Organization – New York.
Speaking on the 20th anniversary of the Jaipur Foot, Mr. Inder Chand Jain, Hon. Secretary - Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti said, “In the last twenty years the Jaipur Foot has fulfilled the dreams of many disabled people in way that was never thought of before. The twentieth anniversary is bringing together a few stalwarts who overcame the life challenges in the face of disability, mustered themselves together in adversities to be independent and achieve great heights in their chosen field. The idea to bring them together is to motivate others and draw inspiration from their lives.”
Mr P.C.Parakh, IAS (Retd), Patron, Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti added, “We have touched the lives of over 20 million people around the world which is no small feat. It has been possible by the dedicated efforts of BMVSS and the joint collaboration with the world-renowned universities in making the lives of these millions of amputees possible.”
Keeping in mind its core philosophy of considering need of the disabled rather than his capacity to pay, BMVSS provides artificial limbs, calipers, wheelchairs, hand paddled tricycles, crutches and other aids and appliances to disabled persons TOTALLY FREE OF COST. Hyderabad branch is one amongst few who also financially support bright students who are physically challenged by paying school / college fees, books, computers / laptops etc. enabling them to make their dream come true. BMVSS has 33 centers all over the country and 8 associate centers across the globe. BMVSS is also inviting generous contributions so that every physically challenged person can live a life of dignity and self-respect.
About Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) was set up in 1975 at Jaipur, Rajasthan as a registered non-political & non-sectarian organization. The objective of BMVSS is to provide mobility and dignity to the handicapped persons without any distinction of cast, creed or religion. It has 33 centers all over the country and 8 associate centers outside the country. in the last several years of its existence, it held camps in in several countries including Afghanistan, Honduras, Colombia, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Lebanon, Senegal, Pakistan, Iraq etc. Some of these countries are in conflict zones where few NGOs venture to go for humanitarian assistance. BMVSS has already rehabilitated more than 2.30 million disabled persons and is the world’s largest organization for the rehabilitation of the disabled. About 95% of the patients of BMVSS are below the poverty line.
The Hyderabad Branch of the BMVSS was set up in 2004 in the King Koti Government Hospital in space graciously provided by the erstwhile Government of Andhra Pradesh on long term lease at a nominal rent of Rs. 1/- per annum. The Branch has been serving needs of physically challenged persons of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh through its Centre at Hyderabad and by holding camps in districts. Apart from the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the Hyderabad Branch has also held camps in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. Since its inception the branch has supported over 60,000 physically challenged persons.
All our camps are held in consultation with the District Collectors and active participation of government agencies involved in welfare of physically challenged persons such as MEPMA/ SERF/ Department of Disabled Welfare etc. These agencies give publicity and bring patients to the camp site.
We take all raw materials, components, consumables, and equipment to set up the workshop for manufacture / fabrication of the appliances. Required number of technicians is sent from Hyderabad and Jaipur. Artificial limbs, both legs and hands, are custom made for each individual and are delivered the same day or at best on the second day.