LMTI adds silver lining in leprosy patients' life

Patna, Apr 19: The Leprosy Mission Trust of India's effort to eradicate leprosy from the country has given hope to several people affected with the disease to lead a normal life without any social stigma.

The LMTI has given a new life to several like 45-year-old Kamlesh Chandra Lal, who got rid of the disease and become a spiritual orator delivering religious discourses on various aspects of life.

LMTI Head Media Advocay Manoj Varghese told mediapersons here that Kamlesh was dropped out from school after he was affected with leprosy.

''However, with the help from the trust, he not only got rid of the disease but also is leading a normal life,'' Mr Varghese said.

He further cited the example of one Virendra Pratap Singh (42), who ekes out a living by running a grocery shop after he was treated for the disease.

''He walks swiftly on his artificial legs to carry out his day to day work and makes everyone feel surprised,'' Mr Varghese said, adding that Virendra's limbs had to be amputated at the age of 10 as they were badly affected by leprosy ulcers.

Both Kamlesh and Virendra were treated at the trust's hospital in Muzaffarpur.

''Even as the stigma and discrimination, attached to the people with leprosy continues, people like Virendra and Kamlesh are an inspiration to those, who think leprosy is incurable and contagious,'' he added.

UNI