Carlo Torriani

SWARGA DWAR

The conversion of a catholic missionary

presented by

Card. Simon Pimenta

PIME Publications, PIME Regional House, Eluru - 534 0-07, A.P., India

ISMAEL

    During the year 1974, my involvement in the work of leprosy control expanded very much. Before coming to India, I went for a course on leprosy in Spain, at Fontilles, near Alicante. After starting a dispensary in Janata Colony with the help of PIME Sisters, I gave also my services to Maharashtra Lokahita Seva Mandal, on organization who was doing survey in the schools near or parish in Irla. The PIME Sisters were also planning to open a hospital in Varsova, Vimala Dermatological Centre. When the health authority of the city, called a meeting of all those who were working for leprosy control in order to allot to them a part of the city, they gave to Vimala al the area around their Dermatological Centre, including Irla, and to me they gave Kurla and Chembur, L & M ward, where there was the dispensaries of Chunabhatti and Janata Colony.

The dispensary of Chunabhatt was below the bridge of the Western Express Highway over the railway line. Along the tracks there were many huts. When we did a survey we listed 1200 persons of which about 200 were leprosy patients. This was one of the seven leprosy colonies of Bombay. Every Monday, starting from our parish in Irla, 5 km away, we were coming do distribute medicines and dress the wounds of the leprosy patients.

Letter No.7, February 1975

Dear Friends

                    This time I am writing to you a true story.

His name was Ismael. I do not  know his religion. I never ask anybody about his religion. From the name one can guess he was a Muslim or a Protestant. Short but well built, he was wearing  spectacles with circular lenses and metallic frame. He came the first time to our dispensary in Sion-Chunabhatti at the end of November, when, besides the medicines, we distribute also used clothes for the cold season.

He got an old leather jacket in brown chamois. It was fitting him very well and making him looking like a gentlemen.  We registered his name among the new patients. Every week we get half a dozen of new leprosy patients who come spontaneously. When he came, we did not take him very seriously. We thought he was one of those beggars who, just before Christmas, make the round of all the Christian institutions to get some donation in kind or money.

That day he asked me recommendation to get admission in some shelter. We know that these recommendations are useless, because in Bombay these institutions are overcrowded and insufficient.

We gave him a letter for the Vadala Municipal Leprosy Hospital. He did not get admission. Later we came to know that he had already been there previously, but he was dismissed because he was found smoking ganja, a narcotic. He came back the next week grumbling. “If nobody gives me a shelter, better for me to go.” He remained there near our dispensary, under the highway bridge along the railway tracks, together with other leprosy patients. I did not understand his mind. If he was having a wife, a family, then there was a reason for living. But where was his wife? Where the children? Were they still remembering him? How to get something to eat? He was too a gentlemen to think to beg for food.

If he could at least sleep during the night he could have gather strength for the day to come.

He did not close eye on that night. No more trains were passing now. Only some lorry was shaking the bridge form time to time.

Came the early train of the morning, and the temptation to go came back to mind.

When the second one was coming, Ismael had taken his decision. Someone shouted; but the train did not stop. Ismael journey for eternity was finished.

Hope he did find a place there, that place that he did not find here in this city of six millions.

It was the six o’clock of the 26 January 1975. In all India people were getting ready to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Republic Day.

    This is just the last event of the many that convinced me to do something more for the leprosy patients of Bombay. I have in mind to start a project, to invite some other people, to stop people degrading to these slums. We must start out there, in the open society, in the schools, detecting the early signs of leprosy, when it can be cured completely. I am planning to engage a doctor, three paramedicals, a social worker and all together starting survey. I need also a van.

Once again I appeal to you, my friends.

The good Lord who in his earthly life cured the leprosy patients will reward you.