My bus from Manglore had reached Belgaum bus stand by 5 am and the bus to Nirmal Nagar would be only at 6.45. It was quite cold and I wanted make myself comfortable and was happy and surprised to see all the chairs empty..  As  I approached the chairs I could get a terrible unbearable smell and I looked around for some rotten rat or cat.  To my surprise on one of the chairs I saw an emaciated and sickly looking. young man with a dirty – torn shirt.  Holding my breath I went to him to have a closer look. The hem of his pant was covered under the scab of a wound and maggots and fowl smelling discharge was dropping on to the ground and I realized the reason for the empty chair.

I asked his name and he told me “Ramesh”. I gave him a hot cup of tea and asked him if he would come with me.  So pitifully he looked at me and asked for Rs. 50/-. I told him that I would give him no money but would take care of him, if he came with me.

Soon the Police was there hitting the back of Ramesh’s chair and asking him to leave the place.  Immediately I told him “HE IS MY MAN.  I AM TAKING HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. LEAVE HIM ALONE”.  People were staring at me, and one or two asked me if it was true.  Soon I telephoned to the hospital for the ambulance, got two plastic carry bags put his leg in to them. By standers helped me to take him to the ambulance. Sitting in the ambulance with him for half an hour or more was simply horrible.  There was no need to announce our arrival but they smelt it.

Soon we took him to a far away room of the hospital got a pair of dress from Fr. Cyril, got ready with masks, plastic aprons etc..  Two table fans going in full speed and some burning agarbathis, gave him a good bath and under sedation with I.V. fluids flowing we started our work of cleaning the wound and pulling out hundreds and hundreds of maggots.  We would run to the washbasin vomit because of the smell, come back continue.  Oh!! The maggots were all over the room especially in the dark corners.

We were unable to eat rice for a couple of days – the sight of cooked rice reminded us of the maggots –  it went on for fifteen days or so.  He was with us for about six months –  Skin grafting was done; on two occasions.  Although he said that he has a brother and family no one came looking for him.

Was it the compassionate love of the FATHER

Or the charism cherished of our holy Founder

Or my bringing up at home I know not

That made me say what I said

All that I know is, it hurt me to see him so helpless

Treated like a street dog whom no one owned

Anyhow to the crowds’ dismay I said it aloud

PLEASE “LEAVE HIM ALONE; HE IS MY MAN.”

Sr. Hilary Mattam, SCB

Nirmal Nagar, Belagavi