28 my deadly accident

Spandane – The Last Lecture Section I – My Life Story

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28 / My Deadly Accident

14 years have rolled by ~~~~~

Once again the monsoon has set in ~~~~

& Memories of 24 th July 1996 flooded back to my mind.

Every year on 24 th July, I spend my day at home instead of going out for work. I spend time

screening memories of my accident and to analyze its effect on my personality, life, my

career, my long term ambitions, my outlook towards life etc.

Incidentally, 14 years have also passed for the murder of Mr. Kini. (resident at Dadar) Do you

remember him?

I went to Poona against my wishes. I was literally blackmailed, emotionally, and forced to

visit Poona to attend a marriage of my niece. After her engagement in April 1996, I had

declared that I wouldn’t be attending her marriage to be held in Poona in July 1996. We were

badly insulted at the time of her engagement. My relationship with my eldest brother was

already running into rough weather for various reasons. It was more of a personality clash

since childhood. More of it can be spelled later. I told him clearly that I would not be

attending the marriage of his daughter. He requested my wife, Mrs. Sumitra, to convince me

to attend the marriage. My Mom, elder brother, sister were also pressurizing me to rethink on

my decision. In fact everyone was insulted and even due importance was not given to any one

at the time of her engagement but somehow nobody was bold enough like me to tell the facts

on his face.

Before going to Poona, I was experiencing accident dreams practically everyday.

Astrologically, I was going through rough patch of my life.

Finally I did the hotel booking for 23 rd & 24 th July 1996. I have been visiting Poona since

1984 at least once a year for some work and I had never stayed at any relative’s home. After

accident my destiny forced me to stay at my cousin’s residence.

Since 21 st July 1996, it rained cats & dogs at Mumbai and suburbs. I refused to attend a


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survey call on 22 nd July 1996 since I was to visit Poona next day.

Rain continued till 23 rd morning. I had never experienced such dreadful rain in my life.

I requested Mrs. Sumitra to cancel the visit but she refused on the plea that it is only a matter

of one day. She wanted to enjoy ‘Varsha sahal’. (Monsoon picnic) In reality it turned out to be

‘Varshachi sahal’. (One year picnic) One has to bow against the wishes of destiny. Deven

firmly cancelled his plan to visit Poona. Now I wish that I should have also done the same

thing. Mrs. Sumitra was bent on going alone and hence because of her love, I decided to

accompany her against my wishes. First time I acted against my Inner Voice.

We left home at about 6 a.m. I told my neighbour about my nervousness about proceeding.

Bus left on time. All roads and even the highway were flooded. Our bus was proceeding

against all odds. We reached Poona at about 11 a.m. The entire journey was completed under

stress as driver was very reckless and was overtaking every vehicle on the way. I fell down in

the bus while helping a co-passenger.

We checked in at Hotel Shreyas at Deccan Gymkhana. Poona was also witnessing heavy rain.

Evening we went to ‘Sarita Nagari’ to visit Mrs. Supriya’s mother. (My elder brother’s mother-

in-law).

In the morning, I again had a rehearsal of the accident. While taking bath, the plastic stool in

the hotel bathroom suddenly broke down and I fell on the ground. Luckily I was not injured.

We proceeded to the marriage hall. Here again we were badly treated. We were not

introduced to anyone. In fact practically nobody was introduced. We spent some time and

returned to hotel to check out. We had our lunch and left the hall.

Bus arrived slightly late. Fortunately the rain had stopped. We were about 20 passengers.

Bus left at about 4 pm. The bus was being driven by the same reckless driver. It was about

4.30 pm. I was sitting in a relaxed position. Suddenly the thought of the accident disturbed my

mind. My mind gave instruction to sit properly otherwise I would suffer in case accident

took place. By the time I corrected my sitting posture, I found bus moving from left to right to

left. Finally the driver lost the control and bus fell down into a small valley after doing

somersault twice. I lost my consciousness the moment the bus was running right to left.


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I was in a deep sleep. My right arm was fractured. As the bus fell on left side, luggage fell

down on me. My wife was also badly injured. She had sustained injuries to her eye. Both of

us occupying the front seat were badly injured. Driver was thrown out from his seat by

breaking the front Glass panel. One policeman managed to put us in a car and we proceeded

back to Poona. Fortunately our luggage was not lost. My wife was carrying all ornaments in

her purse. Mrs. Sumitra helped me to sit on a ‘mile stone’ and helped me to put on shoes

which I had removed on boarding the bus.

I was doing overtime during July. Mrs. Sumitra was surprised. She would remind me that we

are going to Poona for a day only. Some how I finished all pending jobs. I filed my Income Tax

Return for the year. Friends, you may not believe that the first thought crept in my mind after

accidents was of my clients. It gave me solace that my clients will not suffer due to my

accident.

We reached my cousin’s bungalow. My vahini (cousin brother’s wife) telephoned the doctor

and we were admitted into a private hospital of Dr. Vinod Kelkar (MS). First aid was given.

The doctor had to take 25 stitches around Mrs. Sumitra’s eye. My right arm was fractured

along with one left rib. I was suffering from acute pain. We had to stay in the hospital for a

week. My condition was a little bad. I was not able to move freely. My left hand was badly

injured with glass pieces. The doctor took about one hour to remove the glass pieces.

My small finger of left palm was also badly injured. The doctor applied number of stitches on

my left hand fingers. My chest was wrapped in a plastic bandage as rib had sustained fracture.

After about 5 days, I was taken to operation theatre. I was given general anaesthesia for

applying plaster on my right hand. My worry was how to sign the reports and documents on

returning to Mumbai? After applying plaster, I took about 3 hours to regain consciousness.

After a week, I was discharged. Mrs. Sumitra was discharged after two days. We stayed with

my cousin for about a week and then decided to return to Mumbai. My sister suggested doing

a break journey. So we decided to get down at Thane, stay for two days then return to

Borivali.

We safely reached Thane and took an auto to reach her residence. But here again, our auto

broke down. We had to walk half way down to her residence. We rested for two days at


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Thane.

My partner and best friend Jayant (since expired) came to Thane to accompany me to Borivali.

We took taxi from Thane and reached Borivali by 5 pm. My neighbour offered us evening tea

and snacks. I made a mistake of returning on a Saturday. My well wishers were probably

waiting for my return. There was a mad rush to meet me. I had to skip my dinner. Guests

followed one by one continuously. Everybody was interested in the accident story.

Monday morning I met my family doctor. He took me to an Orthopaedic surgeon for further

treatment. My earlier plaster had become loose. I was operated again. But this time I was

given the injection to induce deep sleep and new plaster was put. The plaster was so tight as if

somebody is holding your hand. I was surprised with the difference in medical aid offered

by Poona Doctors and by Mumbai Doctors.

It took me about two months to recover from the acute condition of accident. I lodged

Insurance claim. Mrs. Sumitra’s cousin brother staying at Poona helped us a lot by collecting

FIR, Panchanama from Poona Police. Divisional Manger of National Insurance Ltd. (my

clients) helped me in getting policy document of the bus company. I lodged the suit with

Motor Accident court for compensation. I had to visit another doctor to get certificate of

permanent disability of my right hand. The doctor certified 25% permanent disability.

I received the compensation in Lok-Adalat. You may not believe but my Lawyers took 25%

compensation as their fees. I donated about 10% compensation even before the

compensation cheque was encashed.

I continued my life with disability of right hand. Till date, not a single day has passed

without getting reminded of my disability.

Accident made me wealthier not in terms of money but in terms of experience, which

enabled me to have fresh look at Life and the Path I should follow. One year after the

accident, I wrote the letter to all those who helped me to recover from the accident. (given

below)

Accident left more scars on my mind and I took one decision of not attending any function,

religious or otherwise. I have followed this decision till date against all pressures from my


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relatives.

24-07-2010 Dear A year has rolled by ~~~~

Monsoon has set in ~~~~~

and Memories of last July flooded my mind, prompting me to express sincere thanks

once again for the help rendered by you after my accident.

Accident has made me wealthier not in terms of money but in terms of experience,

which enabled me to have fresh look at life and the Path I should follow.

I do agree that we must forget the past and look at the future but a person like me

looks at the future from window of the past and doors of the present.

I will remember the trouble taken by you for years to come and such kind gesture will

strengthen the foundation of life in general.

LIFE today as I see is nothing but Loss of Individual Faith and Enemity arising out

of ego.

I pray to Almighty God that happiness, good health, prosperity and peace of mind be

showered on your family and all your wishes and desires be fulfilled forthwith.

With kind regards.

24-07-1997 Note: I met with a deadly accident on 24-07-1996 at Poona. This letter was sent one

year after the said accident to all those who helped me to recover from the accident,

both physically and mentally.


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Health & Medicine

28 my deadly accident