Dr Mangat said, “When I questioned Atma Ram, he told me that due to high blood sugar, he had continuous pain in his body. He was unable to do any work, and was at the mercy of passers-by.”

Atma Ram is the eldest of seven siblings, and had come to Punjab from UP, for work. He added that his father is also sick, and they have no property to fall back on.

Seeing his alarming condition, Dr Mangat arranged for some food for him and got him examined by a doctor. The blood sugar measured at random (BSR) was 575, while it should not be more than 150.

High blood sugar can lead to many disorders. It may affect kidneys, eyesight, and make a person prone to heart failure. Now, Atma Ram is being given two injections daily - one in the morning and one in the evening. “The disease may not be cured permanently, but with the treatment, he will be able to work for his livelihood and live longer,” said Dr Mangat.

The expenses of Atma Ram’s treatment and food will be borne by the Ashram till he is able to support himself. The Trust is supporting the treatment of other poor patients like Amritpal Singh, Luxmi, Bhanwar, Puja Devi, Sunita and Banti. During the last two years, the Trust has saved the life of many poor persons by providing emergency care. The Trust also provides wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, clothes, etc to needy persons, and also sponsors the education of many poor and orphan children.