A Journey of Courage: Operation Sindoor Heroes Relearn Life with New Limbs in Pune
Artificial Limb Centre Pune | File Photo
In the wake of the recent Operation Sindoor, the brave personnel who suffered life-altering injuries are now on a courageous path to recovery. Their story isn’t just one of battlefield valor, but of incredible resilience as they learn to navigate the world anew at a specialized centre in Pune.
One of these heroes is Corporal Varun Kumar, a paramedic with the Indian Air Force who was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for his role in past operations. During Operation Sindoor, an enemy missile struck a first-aid post, and Corporal Kumar lost his right hand.
Today, he is recovering at the Artificial Limb Centre (ALC) in Pune. With a new cosmetic hand and the dedicated guidance of doctors, he has already begun to manage his daily activities independently. Brigadier C.N. Satish, Commandant of the ALC, said that though Kumar was right-handed, his high motivation has helped him quickly adapt to using his left hand for writing, eating, and dressing. The next step in his journey is being fitted with a bionic hand for even smoother movement.
He is not alone. Two other personnel are undergoing rehabilitation at the tri-service centre: an Army Subedar who lost both his hands and an Air Force Sergeant who lost a leg.
The progress they’ve made is nothing short of remarkable. The Subedar, who arrived in July completely dependent on others, has already learned to feed himself, write, and groom himself using specially designed gauntlets that hold tools like spoons and combs. Bathing independently remains a challenge, but his doctors are guiding him through it step by step. He, too, will eventually receive bionic hands.
The Sergeant, fitted with a advanced prosthetic leg, is already showing steady improvement in his mobility.
The centre’s approach is holistic. As Colonel G.P. Reddy of the ALC explains, the goal is to restore both confidence and functionality. “We ensure they begin walking or performing daily activities with artificial limbs at the earliest to keep morale high,” he said.
The importance of their work was underscored last month when Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh visited the centre to meet with the recovering personnel and commend their spirit.
Established during World War II in 1944, the ALC in Pune has grown into a premier institution, providing this critical physical and psychological rehabilitation to amputee soldiers, veterans, and civilians, helping them reclaim their independence and their lives.
