IMPACT
India's efforts and achievements have won worldwide
support and acclaim, including :
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AmeriCares India “Spirit of Humanity – Jury’s Choice Award 2010”
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United Nations Grand Award for Excellence in Public
Service worldwide
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Golden World Award for Public Service
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EXPO 2000 Award for an innovative Public Service
project
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Golden Web Award for best web design and content
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Inspiring
stories The Lifeline Express has brought untold
joy into the lives of thousands of people who have had
sight, movement, hearing restored and facial deformities
corrected.
Faith Restored
Mohit Ram, a barber from Bargaon village in the district
of Durg, Madhya Pradesh has his joy tripled.
Misfortune
struck his family 10 years ago when his child was born
blind. Subsequently, he had two more children both blind.
Despite a meager salary Mohit Ram took his children
wherever he could for treatment in vain. Finally, at
a medical camp at Raipur he was firmly told by the doctors
that he should not harbour any hope that his children
may regain vision.
When
Mohit Ram heard about the Lifeline Express, he was reluctant
to take his chance. However after much persuasion from
his villagers, a few who had already benefited from
the Lifeline Express, he took his three blind children
to the surgical camp.
On
16th February 1999, all the three children were operated
for Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction with posterior
capsulatomy with Intra Occular Lenses (IOL) on the right
eye. They showed excellent recovery.
Today,
Mohit Ram has his faith restored . All three of his
children have a bright future with vision in both their
eyes.
Mohit
Ram with his three children
Operation
on right eye
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Operation
on left eye
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A
honeymoon with a difference
Fate
smiled on IMPACT India when Alex Patrick - Smith chanced
to sit next to Mrs. Zelma Lazarus, Chief Executive Officer,
Impact India on a domestic flight. He was so fascinated
with the ambitious Lifeline Express project and the
far-reaching effects of its magical touch that he decided
on the spot to spend a year long honeymoon with his
bride-to-be, Dana, cycling around the world to raise
funds for the Hospital Train.
This dream became a reality when the Patrick Smiths
began the first phase of their journey in South Africa
on 28th July 1995. The 3,075 Km of tedious travelling
in Africa was completed in 8 weeks and raised funds
GBP 25,000. Since they personally covered the cost of
their expenditure, all funds raised went directly to
IMPACT.
The
second phase of Alex and Dana's travel was the Indian
experience which covered 3000 Km of cycling on rough
terrain. On 18th October 1995, Alex and Dana arrived
in Raigarh to see the Lifeline Express serving the tribal
belt of Madhya Pradesh. They were immensely satisfied
to see for themselves the quality of service being administered
to the most neediest of the country.
In
Alex's words: "The atmosphere on the train is purposeful,
efficient and relaxed. Everybody working was there because
of their social conscience, keen at the opportunity
to make some difference to the lives of those who had
arrived to be treated."
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Alex
and Dana |
Quotable
Quotes
"I congratulate all who have worked to make the
project a success. I have great pleasure in extending
my greetings and best wishes to all those associated
with the hospital on a train." Dr.
Manmohan Singh, P.M., India
"Your Lifeline Express fulfills a real, pressing
need ... bringing health services to the most backward
regions of our country. " - Mrs.
Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
"Thank you very much for helping the people of
Amethi. We look forward to your next visit." -
Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP
"Many years ago when I had the priviledge of meeting
Pandit Nehru, he suggested that India's vast railway
system could well be an ideal way of delivering health
and other services to rural areas throughout the Sub-continent.
LIFELINE EXPRESS is a brilliant implementation of that
idea with far reaching consequences in preventing or
curing disability and in promoting primary health and
immunisation services. This innovative project is already
arousing considerable interest in other countries and
could well be the beginning of a whole new approach
to health delivery. "- The
Late Sir John Wilson, Founder of Impact
"It sounds like the Impact India Foundation is
accomplishing some wonderful things. I salute you for
devoting your time, talents, and energy to improving
the lives of disabled children throughout India, and
I send my best wishes for continued success in your
important work." - Former
U.S. President, Bill Clinton
"This is a wonderful initiative which should be
replicated through out India. The Health Ministry, Government
of India, will do everything necessary to update and
modernize the Lifeline Express. Keep it up. Congratulations!"
Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Health
Minister, Government of India-
What a beautiful initiative! We are proud that the Impact
Lifeline Express hospital train is part of the Global
Network of projects around the world of EXPO 2000"
- Ute Miszewski, Director, Projects
around the World International, Hannover - On visiting
the model at EXPO 2000
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