Bomb blast report from Bhaktivedanta Hospital

[Guest guest]

MUMBAI MAYHEM -BHAKTIVEDANTA HOSPITAL COMES TOGETHER Dr. Vivekanand

Shanbhag (H.G. Vishwarup Prabhu) Dy Director – Dept. of Spiritual Care

Counselor at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir The day July 11, 2006 will

forever be etched in the minds of the people of Mumbai as the DAY OF

HORROR. 7 bombs exploded in the First Class compartments of seven local

trains, which were packed with tired passengers going home after working

hard for the day. Even the Ladies Special train was not spared. The bombs

not only destroyed the trains but also the hopes and dreams of innocent

people in few seconds. One of the blasts occurred between Mira Road and

Bhayander Rly. Stn few minutes after 6 pm. Within minutes of receiving the

news preparations started at Bhaktivedanta Hospital to face the calamity.

As we were getting ready, patients started pouring in. The condition of the

patients was horrifying. Mutilated faces, detached limbs, blood all over

the body, charred faces, loosely flowing flesh from limbs and from the

skulls. This was the condition of most of the patients. The people who

brought them appeared confused, stunned and terrified. Looking at the

gravity of the calamity all staff members, medical & non-medical stayed back.

Staff members who had reached home after their duty came back to the

hospital. Within few minutes drs, nurses, attendants, support staff,

volunteers, local corporators, health forum members, and drs from other

hospitals were mobilized and by the end of one hour, SEVEN SURGEONS were

operating in the theatres, Five INTENSIVE CARE PHYSICIANS were in the

Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Five Resident Medical Doctors were managing bomb

blast patients in wards. Nurses who had gone home came back to serve. All

the managers were present handling various aspects of the situation. 41

patients who were victims of the bomb blast were brought in within a span

of

half an hour to the hospital. Five of them were given First Aid treatment

and were sent back home. 13 patients were found dead on arrival. 9 patients

were sent to the General Ward and were stabilized there. 14 patients who

were in very serious condition were taken to ICU. All the dead patients

received Ganga Jal, Tulsi Leaf in their mouth. The spiritual care team led

by H.G. Nartaki Mataji and H.G. Damodar Pandit Prabhu provided the final

Spiritual Care to the dead in the form of chanting the Holy Name loudly,

reading from Bhagavad Gita and offering heartfelt prayers. The devastated

relatives of the dead were offered consolation from the team of Dept. of

Spiritual Care. It was a heartrending experience. It was difficult for many

of them to accept that their dear ones were dead. The Spiritual Care

staff went out of the way to spend time and brought them in touch with the

reality and also healthily accept it. There was a

crowd of around 400-500 people consisting of Policemen, News reporters,

relatives of the deceased etc etc.. Hot Khichdi Prasad was served to all of

them from ISKCON Food Relief Foundation at 2 am in the morning. Hundreds of

people were searching through the dead bodies to identify their dear one.

It was unbearable to see their outburst of emotions on identifying their

relative. These intense experiences with dead bodies continued till 4 in

the morning when all the bodies were identified except one, and were sent

for Post-Mortem to Govt. locations. Volunteers from MTG Group and from the

Jamaat of Mr. Babubhai came early in the evening to the hospital and were

helping to control and guide the crowd and serve Prasadam along with other

devotees. Young boys from MTG Group when back and forth Malad repeatedly

throughout the night to bring blood from the Blood Banks to save the life

of the injured. All the doctors of Bhaktivedanta

Hospital aided by doctor friends from Mira Road worked tirelessly in the

Intensive Unit. Everyone was seen performing menial services to the

patients. There was no consideration of position, education and influence.

Special care was taken to constantly clean the floors stained with continuous

flow of blood and flesh. Such was the exhibition of the well coordinated,

dedicated and selfless service of the young and the old alike during this

most dreadful night. Everybody was noted to work silently in full

coordination with others. It appeared that Srila Prabhupada’s mercy was

enveloping everyone, the doctors, the staff members, volunteers, dead and

the injured patients and everybody around. The Policemen were saying again

and again that they had never seen such well coordinated services in the

most chaotic conditions, maintaining such high levels of hygiene and

cleanliness. After few hours of struggle, two more patients died. They

received prayers from devotees along with Ganga Jal and Tulsi. The hard

working team of doctors and staff left for taking rest at 6 am in the

morning, only to come back at 10 am again to serve. The morning prayer of

10 am and the afternoon prayer of 2 pm were attended by hundreds of relatives

who heard the message from Bhagavad Gita in rapt attention, describing the

inevitable reality of life. All the anxiously waiting crowd of hundreds of

people received breakfast, lunch and dinner prasadam. They expressed their

heartfelt gratitude for all the hospitality. Various politicians like the

Health Minister of Maharashtra visited the hospital and appreciated the

services of the staff to the victims of bomb blast. They specifically

appreciated the clean, peaceful and well organized atmosphere of the

hospital. Two special counters were opened to guide the public for providing

the information of the dead, the admitted victims and other

routinely admitted patients. Following are the first hand accounts of

some of our staff members who participated into this selfless service

H.G. Nartaki Mataji (Disciple of H.D.G. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

Spiritual Counselor – Dept. of Spiritual Care After the Mira–Bhayander bomb

blast we were immersed in an ocean of service at Bhaktivedanta Hospital.

The mood was cooperation for the benefit of patients and relatives, leaving

aside all Upadis we simply tried to serve with what was needed to be done,

using all our strength and God given abilities. Chanting in a desperate mood

of dependence on the mercy of the Lord we prayed for the soul of the

deceased, the well-being of the injured and for the ability of acceptance

of the Lord’s will for the relatives. Seeing the horrific disfigurement of

some of the deceased I realized, all the more the futility of decorating

and pampering the body. We should rather spend time

on decorating the soul with spiritual qualities. I also could understand

the necessity of practicing Bhagavad Bhakti to be able to face the tragedy

as this, because who can say “This will not happen to me”. Seeing the

unleashed expressions of grief, pain and bewilderment of parents &

relatives of patients made me realize that since they were not prepared

spiritually, that their children also must have been unprepared. Therefore

I realized the need of explaining our duty towards our children to teach

them the path of Bhagavad Bhakti, creating a spiritual environment at home

with Krishna in the center for the benefit of our relatives, so that when

this crisis come we know we have done our best. Furthermore I really started

to appreciate the depth of the Vedic literatures with detailed spiritual

information of the soul, the Lord and the nature of this material world

between them, which alone can only calm down the reeling mind in

such crisis. I saw relative’s appreciation to hear the wisdom from

Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavat Purana. Over and above all I feel more

of an emergency to make all this understood to others who have not such

feeling of the need for spiritual cultivation. *********** H.G. Damodar

Pandit Prabhu Spiritual counselor – Dept. of spiritual Care It is the

‘kripa shakti’ of Krishna that is His supreme energy and Srila Prabhupada is

a perfect and complete instrument of that ‘param shakti’. On the evening of

July 11, 2006, a most extraordinary ‘lila’ took place. Srila Prabhupada

empowered his devotees and the residents of Mira Road to distribute Krishna’s

inconceivable compassion not just to the fatally wounded, but also to the

fortunate deceased victims of a series of horrendous train blasts that

rocked Mumbai. When Krishna goes to Kurukshetra, He speaks Gita and when

Prabhupada comes to Mira Road, his special mercy manifests in

the divine form of an extraordinary hospital for the soul i.e.

Bhaktivedanta. What to talk of the living, even the dead were lavished with

such respect and intense affection. Inspite of the mangled condition of their

physical bodies, each of them was benedicted with ‘tulsi’ leaves and the

sacred waters of the most sanctified ‘tirthas’on this planet. The room in

which the deceased were kept was far from being a mortuary- it was Vaikuntha,

because Srila Prabhupada was chanting ‘Hare Krishna’. Bhaktivedanta Hospital

was transformed into a Temple of Compassion and I could feel the souls of

the deceased smile and shed tears of gratitude, - Where were the helpless

laws of ‘Karma’ and the 3 impotent modes of nature? Where were the

Yamadutas? Never was there a time when these supernatural powers existed in

the transcendental precincts of Bhaktivedanta Hospital. No obnoxious stench

emanated from the dead bodies- they appeared just like

living beings. Even till today, whenever I have entered that sanctified room

which housed those precious bodies, something shakes my heart- some hands

seem to be clasping my heart --- voices seem to be crying out with

gratitude. I feel so close to those dear souls. O, how I wish I could have

shown them much, much more love by surrendering to Srila Prabhupada. Where

are those impotent forces of nature in the face of Srila Prabhupada ‘s

causeless compassion? Can they dare to show their faces? ***********

Dr. Dhaval Dalal (H.G. Dwarkadhish Prabhu) Chief Physician – Bhaktivedanta

Hospital Counselor at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir It was a shocking

gruesome sight to see. At 7 pm suddenly a series of injured men started

pouring into the hospital. It was like a war front, with injuries similar

to that seen amongst war victim. Severed limbs, open bleeding wounds due the

blast impact. In the prison house of this material world

prisoners terrorizing other prisoners based on superficial egoistic bodily

designation which only leads to factions due to envy. But all the concerned

doctors, ward boys, nurses, security staff & many others – practically the

whole hospital automatically organized it and began performing various

critical functions. Some were pacifying relatives while some were making note

of the victims identities and establishing contact with their families.

Some were lovingly controlling the shock, mob of people rushing into the

hospital. Some were giving Ganga Jal to dying victims and the medical team

doing critical care management. (Excellent Team Work). Seeing this victim

yelling in pain suffering – how fragile is our body, how unsecure is life

in this world “Kamal tal jal, Jivana tal mal”. We cant change this terrible

world but by Srila Prabhupada's mercy changes our consciousness – even if we

die in bomb blast so be it, but we pray that we

can remember the all Attractive person playing his flute at the time of

death. Let that be our only desire. *********** Mr. K. Venkataramanan

(H.G. Vraj Sundar Prabhu) Dy-Director – Resource Development Counselee of

H.G. Dwarkadhish Prabhu I was just about to leave Bhaktivedanta hospital on

11th July 2006, when Mr.Dubey informed me of the series of Bomb Blast and

we immediately sent our ambulances to the site. As we went to the ground

floor to inform the other doctors, we saw patients just pouring in just

like pack of cards. Immediately we swung in to action and set up the

facilities to receive the patients and alerted other staff. The scene was

pathetic with cries and utter disbelief. Though I have earlier witnessed

the sight of diseased and patients dying in the hospital and outside, this

one created a great impact in my mind. I immediately remembered the words and

message of our Guru Maharaj and the urgency to take the

shelter of the Holy Name .An inner voice was calling me. “You have not yet

become serious in reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and taking the message to

heart. See how the time is running out. One day you too will be in such a

situation and don’t expect miracles” When I heard that most of the patients

were critical & dying and survivors have lost their hearing sense, I am

reminded of the urgency to chant and hear the glories of the Lord. Sooner

or later the appointment, which we cannot miss, will come (death) and the

Lord is prepared to receive us with all the faults but whether I am ready

with my consciousness for the journey. The current topic of Srimad

Bhagavatam about Ajamil was getting constantly dashing in my mind. Suddenly

Dr.B.C.Shah (H.G.Vaishnav Seva P) came from nowhere and told me about one

patient whom he was attending just left his body saying “ Jesus please take

me”. What a fortunate soul he was to remember the Lord

at the time of death. It is time for me to fasten the seat belts and take to

Krishna Consciousness seriously. Guru Maharaj’s words came to my mind “

Life is a preparation and death is an examination”. I could hear the

soothing voice of Srila Prabhupada chanting the Maha Mantra and I just

repeated it. *********** Dr Sandhya Subramanian (Sita Mataji) Spiritual

Counselor – Bhaktivedanta Hospital Counselor at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir

Some were lucky enough to be alive with few deep injuries on their arms and

legs. Some were critically injured with serious head injuries and were

directly taken to the I.C.U. But there were some unfortunate ones who were

brought in dead with mutilated bodies who did not stand a chance. One such

case was Mohan.T. Nair. A loving father of two and a very caring husband.

Relatives said that both husband and wife were like two close friends and

cared a lot for each other. On this fateful day Mohan

caught the train from Andheri earlier than usual as he had to come home to

teach his child who is in the 8th std. A brilliant chap said one of his

friends and very god-fearing too. His wife who came searching for him in the

hospital was given the horrible news of his death and she went into shock

and disbelief. Just hours before he had called home to ask if she needed

anything, as he was coming earlier than usual. His wife then went into

total denial out of grief. For hours she sat in grief blankly staring with

no emotion. When I tried to pacify her she replied God is not there, why

did he take my husband away, just because he was nice and never harmed

others? She was pacified and consoled with various quotations from Gita.

She even refused to go home. Finally when she was taken to identify the

body of her husband she broke down and fell on him and cried inconsolably.

She was then taken home by her sister and other

relatives. The relatives were happy to consoled and talked by the

counselors. I met the family of Mr Parag Sawant, his mother and his wife who

was 8 months pregnant, in a state of extreme grief and shock. They were

crying, so I asked them to start chanting any mantra which they have faith

on and also the Hare Krishna mantra. He had a serious head injury and was

in the ICU. We told them the importance of prayer and only prayers can

save his life. When I said that I would go to the ICU and chant for him,

they became so grateful and felt so happy. After that I went to the ICU

and started chanting loudly near each bed. Most of them were young, just

begun their careers. It was a heart-rending sight. But as I was chanting,

my faith that only chanting of Krishna’s holy name can save them now was

strengthened. Krishna is so merciful that he comes in the form of his holy

name to deliver everyone. Initially I was praying for them to come

back to life and become normal again, but finally I realized that when

they were hale and hearty these people would never have ever taken shelter

of Krishna but now they have a wonderful opportunity to take shelter of

Krishna’s name. The soul is now struggling so the holy name will give the

soul relief from its turmoil and I am sure they will be given a second

chance. I feel very grateful to be part of Bhaktivedanta Hospital that I got a

chance to witness this seemingly horrible experience but also to experience

the power of the Holy Name, which is the only thing that can save us.

*********** Dr. Sanjay Parab – (H.G. Shyam Kund Prabhu) General Surgeon –

Bhaktivedanta Hospital Counselee of H.G. Vishwarup Prabhu This was my

second experience handling bomb blast victims. Previous one was when

Ghatkopar Bomb Blast occurred when I was in Sion Hospital about 2 yrs back.

My heart was paining in agony to see murdered, terribly

injured people by cruel merciless inhumanity. Most of them were brought

dead & who brought were brought alive were suffering from severe head

injuries, limb injuries severe to the extent of amputation and bleeding

profusely. So emergency care was utmost needed which was given with the

help of emergency surgeon, physicians, intensivists, nursing staff & other

hospital staff & even outside doctors came to the rescue. All doctors

including physician, surgeon, nursing staff, housekeeping staff, operation

theatre staff, ICU staff, Pathology, Radiology staff and even to the extent

of Billing & Security satff were on their toes helping injured victims

enthusiastically. Staff from our spiritual care dept. were consoling

relatives of dead & injured victims with utmost love and devotion. Entire

atmosphere was revealing the epitome of cooperation, unity & utmost humanity,

which was, totally contrast to the cruel acts done by terrorists.

Patients in agony along with medicines were receiving nectar & nourishment

for their souls in the form of highly potent Hare Krishna Mahamantra

enchanted by devotees. Experience of bomb blast victims treated by me here

in Bhaktivedanta Hosptial was entirely different & satisfactory to my heart

than in Sion Hospital, just because so much care was given to the patients

with Love & Devotion which I was experiencing for the first time in my

life. My all best wishes and prayers for all bomb blast victims injured &

dead. *********** Dr. Suraj Purushottam (H.G. Shyamlal Prabhu) General

Physician – Bhaktivedanta Hospital Counselee of H.G. Madhavanand Prabhu It

seemed like a war front. In 15 – 20 minutes the casualty was flooded by

brutally injured, profusely bleeding delirious individuals sinking in pain.

For the next 12 to 16 hours in the ICU, I was working like a robot fixing

up broken parts, pumping in fluids to maintain the

blood pressure and some on the ventilators. Surely this is “dukhalayam

ashahvatam” – full of suffering and temporary. How much more is the need to

spread the holy name and the message of the Gita. The only silver lining

was provided by the Spiritual Care Dept. H.G Nartaki Mataji, H.G Damodar

Pandit prabhu and H.G Dwarkadheesh Pr were constantly chanting for the

departing souls. There wasn’t much that we could do as medicos. Those who were

seriously injured it was just a matter of time – now or few hours later. In

any other hospital it would be like taking the vehicle and the driver to

the garage after the accident, the vehicle being repaired and the driver

left to die. One thing I am convinced, that spiritual care is the dire need

for all individuals dealing with death and this is not a part time job but

factually it has to be as intensive as the intensives in the ICU – on job 24

hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

*********** Sandeep Kaimal Officer – Dept. of Customer Relation

Counselee of H.G. Madhavanand Prabhu It was a pleasant evening on 11th July

2006. The atmosphere in the hospital was calm with patients waiting for

their doctors and the staff doing their respective work with Srila

Prabhupada’s melodious kirtan playing in the background. Suddenly breaking

the harmony we heard shrieking and screaming sound of 2 patients. By the

condition of the patient it was clear a big catastrophe has occurred and we

immediately came to know that 10 minutes ago there was a bomb blast at

Mira Road and at other places in Mumbai. Immediately our hospital team under

the leadership of our Director Dr. Ajay Sankhe moved into action, as we

knew that many cases might follow. Shortly the hospital was flooded with

the wounded and dead cases. There were patients who were brought in very

mutilated condition with some of their body parts totally missing.

One of the appalling scenes was of 3 patients who were dumped into an Auto

Rickshaw one over the other and all of the 3 were struggling in pain. I was

really terrified to see the sight and everybody else seemed motionless seeing

this ghastly scene. Regrouping my self I called upon some volunteers to

help me to take them inside. It was difficult, as I had never experienced

such petrifying scene in my life. I just prayed to Srila Prabhupada to give

me the courage to help these suffering souls, as I had no other option and

after that there was no looking behind. As we lifted the person we saw his

arm had got severely damaged with the patient screaming wildly in pain. All

the patients within seconds were given immediate medical attention and

needful cases transferred to ICU and IMCU. Most patients were unconscious

and were in a state of shock and speechless. They could not recollect what

had happen and seemed totally oblivious to the

situation. We had to use signs and gesture to communicate with them as

most the patients hearing ability was impaired. As the news spread of the

gruesome tragedy, worried relatives started visiting the hospital. In anxiety

they were searching for their dear ones in the list of admitted patients

and in case they did not find them there, we had to in a grave and cautious

note communicate to them the most difficult thing, of asking them to look

for their near & dear ones in the unidentified dead bodies kept in a

different room. Relatives were in a scary mood and were praying continuously

not to see their dear ones amongst the dead. Their anxiety and sorrow as the

cover over the bodies was lifted still haunts and will not be wiped off

from memory for a long time. In all, Bhaktivedanta Hospital had 15

dead cases and all of them were kept in the hospital till 4.00 am for

identification. The room in which the bodies were kept had

Srila Prabhupada’s continuous Kirtan being played for the benefit of the

departed souls. All of us were working round the clock to provide all possible

best services to all the patients, deceased and their relatives. Also

sumptuous Khichdi Prasadam was arranged for all the patients, relatives and

volunteers who had gathered to serve the suffering people. It is was

really very heartening to see how each and every member of Bhaktivedanta

Hospital coped up with the situation. Everyone right from the Director,

doctor and to the ward boy worked as a team ensuring that best quality

treatment is given to all without any delay. One thing is for sure that all

those patients who are in the hospital or those who have died are really

fortunate as they are receiving the holy name of the Lord which will

definitely help them fasten their journey back home back to Godhead. “Lord

Chaitanya’s mercy is being bestowed to them through

Bhaktivedanta Hospital.” *********** Mrs. Sangita Kolte (H.G. Prem

Vilas Mataji) Billing Supervisor Counselee of H.G. Balkrishna Prabhu On

11th July as I received call from Hospital many Bomb Blast Victims brought in

to our Hospital, I was shocked and immediately rushed to the Hospital. When I

reached to the Hospital the situation was very grim. Bomb Blast people were

brought in the Hospital in very critical condition, some of them were dead,

some were unconscious and some were badly injured. Cries of the relatives of

the dead and agony of the wounded patients moved my heart. Some mothers had

lost their only child and some wife had lost her beloved. Whole environment

was gloomy. Everywhere the relatives were running in search of their loved

ones. Some relative were enquiring us about their relative whether they are

alive or injured or dead. It was very difficult to answer their questions and

queries because it was very hard to

break the news about their dead relatives. There were many patients whose

identification was difficult to understand, they were unknown. Anxiety of

the relatives who could not find their near and dear ones in our Hospital

was really depressing. Everything happened in fraction of a second so I was

wondering how uncertain is ones life they might not got opportunity to take

the Holy name of the Lord and how much important it is to take up Spiritual

life very seriously. Fortunate are those soul who got admitted in

Bhaktivedanta Hospital as they got Spiritual care in our Hospital. At that

time of the death they could not have uttered their own name what to

speak of thinking about the Almighty so I realized that human life is so

short that anything can happen anytime hence we have to prepare our journey

to go home back to Godhead on a very serious note. *********** Mrs

Rekha Grover Medical Social Counselor Counselee of H.G.

Madhavanand Prabhu Case 1: 21 yr male from Bhayender coming from his

college, doing last year of gemology. Father has his own business was

returning back from his office and was buying vegetable and because his

wife Anita Jain called him said to buy particular things as his only child

Rohit (Rinku) had asked her to cook that particular dish. Precisely at that

time somebody informed him that his son is injured at Bhayender blast and

he has requested him to call on the no given. He threw the bag there

itself and ran to the site but by the time he reached the victims had been

taken to some hospital which they were not aware. enquiring at several places

the neighbour reached BVH. Apparently when Rohit was admitted he was alive but

due to sever injuries to the lower limbs he bled profusely and succumbed

to his illness. I first met her mother at the enquiry hopeful and prayerful

that her son must have received only injuries. Since

he was at the ICU. But she very soon realized that within the next few

minutes that her whole life would be devastated. I met her and asked her

about the details of her son and what he was doing, when did she speak last

with him etc. With a very heavy heart she told that yesterday he was in a

very loving mood and kept his head on her lap fondling him. She was teasing

him for his marriage in the future and he was also cracking jokes. He

requested her to make a particular dish, which she said she would make the

following day and cooked the food of his choice on the same night for

dinner. Next day he phoned her in the afternoon casually and was supposed

to reach at the expected time when ??.everything was over. Here was the

same mother-mother of the only child who was an apple of her eye. When the

news was broken to her only her screams could be heard with the

lamentations “Mera Rinku?.mera Rinku?. Just yesterday you were sleeping

with your head on my lap so lovingly”. She cried non-stop for hours,

screaming and crying. I held her tight for an hour, when finally the family

decided to send her home. THRESIAMMA JOSEPH Head nurse, Neonatal

Intensive Care Unit She was going to Delhi by August Kranti Train. The train

started from Mumbai Central at 5.40 p.m. and suddenly stopped at Mira Road

station at 6.30 p.m. The train driver got message - “Don’t move August

Kranti Train.” So the train stood there at Mira Road. She told us, “All the

doors and windows were closed. We were given instruction not to let anyone

inside. We remained there. As soon as I gave message at home, the phone was

locked. I was remembering only Bhaktivedanta Hospital in train. I was

thinking I should be there so that I can help some needy patients. I

managed to get out of the train. I am now here in this hospital. It is

unbelievable. It is only by His causeless mercy that I am on

duty. It is very painful to see such conditions of these innocent people.

It is really horrible. Patients are suffering very badly. I am unable to

come out of shock of the incident.”

 

 

 

CHANT HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE

HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE AND BE HAPPY

Your humble servant

radhabhava gaur das