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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Braja Needs You


I was contacted by a number of Braja's friends with the following information. Please know that this is not a joke...

Two different accounts, same heartbreaking story.

Dear friends of Braja, my name is Paul (Prananatha das) and I'm a close friend of Braja's from NZ. I'm currently staying in Mayapur. It is with great sadness that I must inform you all that Braja & herhusband Jahnu had a serious car accident on the way to the airport.

This is NOT a joke. Their taxi collided head on with a truck at highspeed at aprox 6am yesterday morning. She and Jahnu are in the ICU at Kolkata Apollo Hospital.

Braja has suffered a broken arm, facial injuries and possible hip injuries. She had plastic surgery on her face yesterday. She is conscious.

Jahnu has suffered broken ribs, punctured lungs, punctured liver, broken legs and arms and has a fractured skull. He has not regained consciousness since the accident.

He has a 60%chance of survival.

We all devotees here in Mayapur are very shocked and saddened by this event. We are praying for their swift and complete recovery and ask with folded palms that you all will add them to your prayers.

I am here in Mayapur till Sunday 15th March and will followthis blog as much as possible and send through information as it comes to hand.

Yours in service to Lord Krsna and His devotees, Prananathadas, Sri Dham Mayapur.

LadyFi has more info, too.... http://ladyfi.wordpress.com/



This is Ramadevi, Braja's friend in Mayapur. I'm sorry but I have some really bad news.

Braja and her husband were in a nasty car accident on their way in to the airport yesterday morning. They were in a head-on collision with a truck - the driver of the taxi fell asleep.

Braja is pretty much okay. She has very bad facial lacerations which were repaired by the plastic surgeon last night. Her left wrist is broken and today they discovered she may have a slightly punctured lung. I was with her in the hospital since yesterday and, as I was leaving today, they were taking her for a CT scan to look at her lungs and put in a chest drain. Her face looks terrible but you should see the truck!! (Irreverent I know but it made her laugh!) She will most likely have a scar that would put Harry Potter's in the shade! But otherwise she is well and lucid and likely to be discharged within 7-10 days.

Her husband's condition is more critical. He has two punctured lungs from several broken ribs, two broken arms, a completely smashed jaw, fractured skull and a small amount of bleeding into the brain. They are not so worried about the brain bleed as it is small. His main problem is his lungs. However, since they got him from the local village hospital near the accident to a good hospital with proper ICU facility his condition improved rapidly. He is under heavy sedation but today the doctors were so satisfiedby his condition that they decided to take him to theatre to repair his jaw and arms. He will be on a ventilator probably for some weeks. They say he has a very good chance of a slow but successful recovery as long as he doesn't get any infection.

I actually tried sending this many times yesterday before I went to the hospital but our beloved Indian internet was not cooperating!

Please, can you inform all of Braja's blogging friends and ask them, in their own way, to pray for Braja and her husband. We have devotees from all over the world praying for them and sending messages but there can never be too many prayers.

If anybody wants to send a message they can send it to me (Ramadevi.ACBSP@pamho.net) and I'll read them all to her. If anybody wants to phone my number is 00 91 9932 836 258. I'm going back to Calcutta tomorrow and will stay a few days. Once she is out of ICU she will be able to have her phone with her. In the meantime, I'll pass on any messages.

I have tried to post on Braja's post, having her sign in and her password, but there's something wrong with it and I can't get on.

24 comments:

IB said...

Thanks, Pearl!

derfina said...

Praying HARD. *smooches*

Roshni said...

I believe she is out of the ICU now and her husband is also recovering though not yet out of danger.
Still praying...

Pearl said...

The updates continue to come in...

How strange. I sold little stories last night at my reading for a $1 apiece, telling everyone I was saving for a trip to India. My heart goes out to Braja, and I so wish that I could go to her. I know she has a lot of friends, but I want to hold her hand...

Anonymous said...

Pearl...

I shall be praying for Braja and her husband. I'm so sad...and so relieved they are alive.

I'll send a message on that e-mail address.

~Wendy~

Unknown said...

We all want to be there for her, Pearl, but for now all we can do is pray and hope for the best.:)

And make plans on how we will shower her with love upon her safe return.

Peace - Rene

ICKY said...

Good luck to them.

Unknown said...

I've seen this in a lot of places where Braja is well loved. I only know her from her comments on some of my favorite blogs but she is certainly a great person. My prayers are with her and her family.

Unknown said...

Just wanted to say that I put a little "get well note" on my sidebar to wish Braja well and that we are thinking of her.

Peace - Rene

Bee said...

People all over the world are praying for Braja and sending her healing thoughts. The accident was horrible, but there is something about that positive energy that makes me feel hopeful.

Pearl said...

Rene, you're right (as you usually are!).

Bee, how true that is. It's a small world, isn't it?

Amy W said...

Thank you so much for all the information, Pearl!!

Unknown said...

thanks for the update x

Michelle said...

Praying and asked some friends to pray too!!!

I have to tell you Pearly-Q that I find this somehow soothing. Soothing that we are all coming together for somebody we have not met. But we know her in our souls!!!

PRAYING!!!

Suzy said...

Lots and lots of us are linking and telling the story and I talked to Rama yesterday.

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Pearlette, I am awaiting news of the address of the actual hospital, so that we may send cards, if that is culturally acceptable to this community, and if the hospital can cope with all our outpourings of love for dear Braja, her hubby and their driver.

Bless you, bless Braja, Jahnu and all who care for them xox

That Janie Girl said...

Thanks, Pearl.

Anonymous said...

I've seen this at soem other blogs as well. I don't know her, but sending my good thoughts her way.

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

Positive energy never hurt sender or intended receptor, i reckon...

Kavi said...

Thanks for sharing this Pearl.

Our heartrs go out to her and her husband. With all the positive spirit that she spread around, i am very sure that she will be back. And so will her husband be !

Whenever you get a chance to speak to her, please do let her know that we are all with her in this moment of pain and anguish.

Vic said...

I saw the Pseudonymous English Teacher had some information up also. I don't know Braja, but I've seen her name around, and I'm so glad she and her husband are alive and starting the recovery process. They are both in my prayers.

Gadjo Dilo said...

Oh, nasty accident; I've been in Calcutta and seen how amazing the drivers are there, so it was bad luck for your friends. Will pray for them.

Natasha Burns said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friends and will keep them in my prayers

raydenzel1 said...

How did it turn out?

ray