World

Saukari Devi of Kimora on way to cosmetic surgery after 50 years

by azzayindia | April 12, 2009 at 05:12 am

264 views | 76 Recommendations | 6 comments

warning pictures are graphic

Mussoorie, 11 Apr: There could not have been a better gift for Saukari Devi, aged 50, of Village Kimoda near Thatyur, 40 kms from Mussoorie, on Easter Sunday.
Saukari, who suffered 90% burns on her face since she fell into a ‘chulha’ in her village when she was a few months old and was brought to Community Hospital, here, for treatment. Due to poverty, she could not go for plastic surgery as it was done in limited places those days. Her face became bereft of nose, eyebrows, lips, etc. It is just a blank face, with teeth protruding.
But, this Easter, she will finally leave for King George Medical College, Lucknow, for complete Plastic Surgery. Mangal Singh, Saukari Devi’s 60 year old husband, is elated. His joy knew no bounds when he was informed by a Good Samaritan Doctor from Mussoorie, who has been working for such poor souls for several decades, that Saukari now has a chance to live a normal life and children will not be afraid of her any more after the surgery.

for details go to

http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Uttarakhand&article=265

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

Paschen

flagged this story as Eyewitness Report

at 07:07 on April 12th, 2009

This is an eyewitness report from the NowPublic member azzayindia who was on the scene.

recommend This comment thread is now closed

sara star

at 07:34 on April 12th, 2009

What a heartwarming story. She is second wife of Mangal Singh. His first wife could not conceive.

The parents of Saukari Devi suggested that she should marry Mangal Singh, which she refused initially. But, later, the parents explained that dying without marriage would cause her to wander in this world as some ‘devta’ after her death and there would be no peace for her. More so, she would be helping her sister and providing children to both for their old age. Saukari’s parents sent a proposal of marriage to Mangal Singh, to which he readily agreed.

Saukari bore him three children.

...Mangal says that the immensely beautiful children show how good Saukari Devi would have looked had she not been burned.

...Saukari Devi epitomises the women of strong character, and has looked after the family in the best possible way. Mangal Singh adds that the doctor has given them money for the stay in Lucknow and a few clothes too. When asked why he has agreed for the surgery of his wife at this ripe old age, he just says the four letter word, ‘LOVE’, for her.

azzayindia

at 01:35 on April 13th, 2009

let us help her financially too any suggestions?

Amy Judd

at 12:23 on April 12th, 2009

Lovely - I am glad this is happening for her.

I have a question, what is a 'chulha'?

azzayindia

at 01:24 on April 13th, 2009

chulha

is a earthen cooking stove used in village in run on wood. have posted the image also

Barbara McPherson

at 18:28 on April 12th, 2009

Thanks for this story. Goes to show beauty comes in many forms.

gerrypopplestone

at 07:46 on April 15th, 2009

Good story, Azzayindia. Facial disfigurement is the most difficult disability to deal with since so many of us have not yet learnt to accept that it happens and is nothing to fear! Recently there was a story of a woman in India who had had acid thrown at her (I think) and was given a face lift (Ive got the story a bit mixed up! I think her husband cut her nose off for some reason).

Gerry