Faith heals where doctors fail

Kolkata, Feb 7 (UNI) Hundreds of people lying on their stomach waiting for 'Mata' to walk upon them is a commom sight for the people of Kaniha, a small town in Orissa's Dhenkanal district.

The 52-year-old Mata, who is believed to possess supernatural power, heals and fulfils the wishes of people, who come to her with faith.

Every day about 200 people from many parts of the country visit Mata Labanyabati after getting disheartened at other places. People are said to have been cured by her after doctors gave up.

As a child, Labanyabati had an inclination towards social service for which she gained popularity. But three years after her marraige she lost her mental balance and confined herself to a room, her husband Dhaneswar Mohanty told UNI over phone from Kaniha.

''I took her to several places for treatment but had to return with only vague hopes. Her condition began to deteriorate and we had to abandon her,'' said Mohanty, who also accepts his wife as Mata.

''She used to stay on the premises of a temple here, wash utensils, sweep the temple corridors and do all sorts of work in the temple. Surprisingly, the element of helping others was still there within her,'' Dhaneswar added.

However, after a few days she started behaving normally and people began realising that there was some power in her touch that cured several ailing people, said an old priest of the temple, who had known 'Mata' as a girl.

A local doctor J K Sarangi told UNI, ''Science negates such phenomenon but we can't force anyone not to believe her. The practice is fine till you are not harming anyone.'' Asked how she realised about the power within her, the Mata said, ''I was bathing in a pond when a figure appeared before me from nowhere. She was an old lady and asked me to make a wish. I said to her that I wanted to serve mankind upon which she showed me three trees and asked me to make a powder of the barks and give to people as medicine. But she also added that the powder will work on those who consume it with faith.'' However, she refused to disclose the names of the trees, saying that those were the 'gift of the Goddess' to her.

''I have come from Bangalore. Heard of Mata from a friend in NTPC. My child had her eye operated upon thrice in Chennai but she was not able to see. But Mata's medicine is working wonders for my daughter. For me it's a matter of faith,'' a follower of the Mata T S Balu said.

''It is faith that draws hundreds of people to the place,'' local reporter Manoj Mishra stressed.

On the authenticity and growing popularity of the Mata, Angul Additional District Magistrate Bandhu Bilore said, ''People now-a- days are getting inclined towards such faiths and beliefs. I used to rubbish such things as blind-beliefs but I have been to her a couple of times. Though her medicines are not scientifically proved it had not harmed anyone so far.'' Kaniha Officer In-Charge S Bhoi said, ''It's a matter of faith.

Some got cured in the process and it became a trend since then. She, however, has no criminal record and many people are visiting the place.'' Mata not only does 'magic' with her 'powers' but has also started an orphanage, which is home to about 200 tribal children.

''Whatever donations people give I use it for these children,'' she said.

''She is our mother, we are very happy to have her with us,'' said 12-year-old Sangeeta Murmu, who is staying here for the last 10 years.

Besides, the Mata teaches the children meditation and ensures good education to them.

UNI