By Lawrence Faulkner

Naren found us on the internet, he is the project manager of Nivethan Trust, an organization based in Madurai, which deals with child care in several areas, one of which being thalassemia. Madurai is a city of Tamil Nadu, in southern India, in which about 4 million people live in the urban area, where although there are many children with thalassemia, there is no true centre that follows them in an organized way. They are assisted by several doctors none of which have specific interest or expertise.

I arrive at 1pm on the 15th January, we are on the ninth parallel above the Equator, a tropical area with a temperature of 25-30 degrees in January. Naren easily recognizes me at the airport (we have already been introduced on Skype), and takes me to a hotel in the centre where I meet with Mr. Ramalingam and other members of Nivethan.  We discuss the 2 day program.
The next day a visit to the government hospital in Madurai and a meeting with some parents, who I am presented to by Professor Murugalatha and Professor Shanmugasundaram of the Pediatric Department.  The parents have many questions about the therapy and in particular on the possibility of a cure for thalassemia with bone marrow transplantation.

I visit the blood centre headed by Dr. Velusamy, the pediatric oncology department headed by Dr. Rajaramesharawn, where they treat mainly leukemias (solid tumours are managed by surgeons). At 12pm a meeting with a group of young doctors and later we go to visit another private hospital founded by a Catholic mission.  In the afternoon we are expected at Keelamathur village, 8 km from Madurai, where I have the honour to inaugurate a small computer centre with computers donated to the Thiyagam Women’s Trust association, which deals with the training of women with disabilities.  The Coordinator, Mrs. Amutha Shanty, herself disabled, is a very communicative, sweet and energetic lady.
At the nearby village of Kodimangalam Pudur  another ceremony was prepared for the occasion of Pongal, the festival of abundance and harvest. Here too the Thiyagam Women’s Trust has organized a small after-school class attended by about twenty of the village children, some with disability problems.
Dr. Shanmugasundaram and I planted two symbolic trees, following a small ceremony in the village temple, a wonderful experience, emotional and not easily forgettable.

The next day a visit to the Meenakshi temple, we are accompanied by Mrs Rajalakshmi and Mrs Bose of the local Rotary club. This imposing temple has a very important role in Hindu religion, there are many couples who come here to celebrate their wedding as well as pilgrims from all over India.  A really interesting morning and passed in pleasant company.
My visit comes to an end by making a plan on how to proceed with the screening and prevention program and the next steps. They all seem very efficient and motivated, I believe that also here  in this reality we will begin something concrete very soon. Madurai has given me some fabulous emotions that I haven’t felt for sometime, I am very fortunate to have the privilege of being able to do this work and meet exceptional people. 3 stops await me (Chennai, Mumbai and Calcutta) before arriving in Dhaka in the morning.