Brave Hearts

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Eye Care Foundation

Page 81

Sweet Are The Uses of Adversity
Difficulties or calamities never come alone. They have a tendency to march together like an army. That is precisely what happened in the case of E. Pitambaran Pavitran hailing from the tiny state of Kerala. He faced one storm after another in his otherwise happy life.
He was a native of Addor village located in the Queelone district of the state. While he was studying in the Calicut Engineering College, he was known for his intellectual prowess. After completing his studies there, he joined the Indian Armed Forces. During the Bangladesh War of 1971, he held the rank of a Naik in the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps of the Indian Army. Being highly efficient, he was judged to be the best electrician of the E.M.E. in 1971. He was at the top of his unit.
Just then a calamity befell Pavitran. While he was on duty at the battle-front riding a motorbike, he was hit by an enemy bullet. As the motorcycle turned turtle, he was badly thrown off. One of his legs was crushed under the impact of the accident, while his right hand received serious injuries as well. He was brought to a military hospital in an unconscious state.
Pavitran had to undergo a major operation. During which one of his legs was amputated from the hip. A steel rod had to be inserted in his right hand. When he regained consciousness, he was literally shaken to find himself in such a state of health. The injuries sustained by him were of a very serious nature.
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