Parents of Pak kid who got new lease of life have nothing but praise for India

Karachi, July 3 (ANI): Relations between India and Pakistan soured and the blame game from both sides gained unprecedented heights after the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, but for Syed Saadat Ali and his wife, the heightened tensions between the two neighboring nations did not affect the treatment of their son, Syed Raahim, who was operated in New Delhi for a rare congenital heart disorder in December 2008.

Ali and his wife, Nadia came to New Delhi in December, barely one month after the ghastly terror attack on Mumbai, for the treatment of their son, who will soon be celebrating his first birthday.

Raahim suffered from a rare congenital heart disorder that obstructed blood flow to his heart, making it difficult to breathe.

As doctors in Pakistan were unable to treat Raahim due to lack of certain medical facilities, his parents decided to travel to India after they received a positive response from Dr Rajesh Sharma of Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi.

"Raahim suffered from shortness of breath since the day he was born and had the 'Blue Baby' syndrome in which his skin would turn bluish or purplish due to lack of oxygen, but even doctors at one of the most leading hospitals of the city could not understand what was wrong," The News quoted Ali, as saying.

Both Ali and Nadia said they received a warm welcome in India, and never felt any impact of the heightened tension between India and Pakistan.

"Our governments may have their differences, but once we stepped into India and interacted with the common man, each one of them welcomed us with open arms. From the staff to the common visitor at the hospital, everyone gave us special treatment because we were from Pakistan. This just tells you how political or religious differences never trickle down to the common man," said Nadia.

"In fact, not only did they open their doors for us, but also their pockets to save Raahim's life," added Ali.

The total cost of the surgery amounted to 0.65 million rupees, most of which was borne by the hospital.

"This financial exemption came as a surprise because we could not afford it. For a while, we had lost hope," Ali said. (ANI)