A Hand to cheer- `Ek Haath Aasha ka’ camp inaugurated

Chandigarh, November 11, 2021: A free LN4 Hand distribution and training camp "Ek Haath Aasha Ka", organized  by Rotary Club Chandigarh Central in association with Rotary Club of Poona Downtown, was inaugurated at Chandigarh University here today. The camp will continue till 14th November. Besides donation of artificial hands to the needy persons, demonstration of functioning of these limbs will also be done at the camp. Around 1532 artificial hands will be donated at this camp.

The inaugural session was chaired by the District Governor of Rotary International District 3131 Rtn Pankaj Shah whereas   District Governor 3080 Rtn Ajay Madan was Guest of Honour.  

Ashish Midha, President, Rotary Club Chandigarh Central said providing the functional hand would definitely change the lives of the beneficiaries and their family members. The President saw various YouTube videos on this Prosthetic limb, and impressed by the good it could do, the Club decided to take up the Project. Rotary Club Poona Downtown has already executed such Projects elsewhere in India. The team from Poona has come to give the hands and provide training about how to use the hands. Counseling of the beneficiaries shall also be done. The LN4 Prosthetic hands have already been fitted on about 60,000 people in 80 countries. The Rotary clubs and Chandigarh University are attempting to compete for Guinness Book of records as this shall be the largest camp to provide hands to those who need it.

The hands have been manufactured by Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation, USA. The differently abled persons from various states including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have registered for the camp.

With the improvement of technology during the last two decades, mechanization of farm operations has taken place. With mechanization, farming has become a risky vocation as a number of accidents take place. Most of the farming accidents result in amputation of the upper limbs below the elbow for which these hands are suitable to increase the mobility of the person using it.

Earlier, the club had decided to distribute and fit LN4 hands to about 500 beneficiaries in July, 2021. It was decided to launch a publicity video and poster  for identifying the beneficiaries. The poster and video of President Rtn Ashish Midha was soft launched on 2nd September. As soon as the video was launched, people started calling. The video was officially launched on 4th September. The target of 500 registrations got crossed in less than a week. About 2380 prospective recipients were ultimately registered out of which about 400 were found ineligible and an equal number require a custom extender for which a separate camp is proposed next year.

The free limbs camp is being organized for the children above 10 years of age and elders, who have lost their hands in some accident or had to get it amputated otherwise.  The US made hands, weighing 400 gram, are suitable for amputation below the elbow. No charge will be taken from the beneficiaries.

This is the first such camp in the northern region. It is reported that the beneficiaries after getting the LN4 hands will be able to perform day to day functions. The Rotarians of Chandigarh Central Club are already moved by the emotions of prospective recipients. They are in fact enjoying giving their time and service to fulfill Rotary's motto: Service above self. The Rotary International's theme for this year is 'Serve to Change Lives'.