This week our Asli Survivors are actor Deven Bhojani and his friend Nisha (name changed), who met with an accident in the year 1993, in Worli, Mumbai. Deven was not injured critically but his friend, Nisha, suffered severely.

Deven, his friend Tarun (name changed) and Nisha (Tarun's girlfriend then and now his wife) had to go to watch a play that evening. However, Tarun could not accompany them as he had some work. So, Deven and  Nisha decided to go on Deven's bike. "We were returning from there at around 10:30 in the night, my speed was around 45 km/hr, when a local bus, which was quite ahead from us, stopped on the left hand side. A man in kurta-pyjama, who must have got down from the front side of the bus and wanted to cross, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, in front of us. In order to save him, I immediately pressed the breaks and my bike skidded and we fell on the road. I got up and saw that my hands and legs were bruised. My helmet was broken into two pieces. People came forward to help us. I looked around for Nisha who was lying unconscious on the road. Two kind men rushed us to the Poddar Hospital where we were given the required treatment. Nisha was taken to a special area in the hospital because she had some major injuries. The doctor gave me the required treatment after which I did the requisite formalities. I asked the doctor about Nisha and he told me, Uske bachne ka chance bahaut kam hai. On hearing this, mere pairon tale zameen khisak gayi. Moment's ago, we were laughing and enjoying the play and now she was in this critical condition. I am still getting goosebumps while I am narrating this."

"Tarun was already on his way to the hospital. I asked the doctor to arrange an ambulance so that we could take her to a bigger hospital. Nisha's parents came in the meanwhile and we all took her to Hinduja Hospital. There the doctors said that if within 72 hours she regains consciousness, there are chances of her survival. At that time, each and every minute felt like an hour. We kept waiting and praying for her. She survived, but was in semi-coma for 3 months. Her entire right side of the body had paralyzed due to a severe brain injury. If she was wearing a helmet, she could have been saved from this brain injury. My helmet cracked into two pieces and I was probably saved because of that", he said.

After 12 years, Nisha could start walking without crutches. Thanks to the treatment, prayers and the love and support of the family.  She is a Bharatnatyam dancer. She had been performing in different countries for years. We hope that she soon mesmerizes the world-wide audiences with her forte.