I Will Not Give Up on My Daughter Please Help Me Save Her Future

My name is Shipra, and I am a mother fighting the biggest battle of my life to save my daughter. Last August, while working on a simple school project, a small candle flame turned into a nightmare. Within seconds, the fire caught my daughter Payel’s clothes. She is just 15 years old, a bright Class 10 student, full of dreams. In that horrifying moment, while trying to save her, I too suffered severe burns on all ten fingers of my hands. But a mother does not think about her own pain. In that critical condition, I called the ambulance myself and rushed her to R.G. Kar Hospital, 70 kilometres away, a journey that took three painful hours while my child cried in my lap.

Payel suffered severe burns from above her navel to her entire chest area. The doctors were not hopeful in the beginning. Those days in the hospital felt like standing between life and death. By God’s grace and continuous treatment, her life was saved. Over the last few months, she has already undergone four painful surgeries, and each surgery has been both physically and emotionally exhausting for her and for us. Today, more surgeries are still required. The doctors at Narayana Hospital have advised major plastic surgery with skin grafting, and her treatment is far from over.

Right now, my daughter cannot even move one of her hands because it has fused to her body due to the burns. She cannot sleep at night because of severe chest pain and tightness from the scars. Expensive medicines, laser therapy, special creams, and proper nutrition are ongoing every single day. We have already spent more than ₹10,00,000 on her treatment, arranging money by borrowing, calling relatives, and using every saving we ever had. My husband works in a small agarbatti company and earns only ₹13,000 per month. We have nothing left, yet the biggest surgeries are still ahead of us.

What hurts me the most is seeing such a strong child suffer silently. Payel is not just my daughter; she is an artist, a hard-working student who has always topped her class. Even in this unbearable pain, she never lets me feel that she is suffering. She smiles at me and says she will be fine. When I feel weak, I remind myself of my own words: “Harungi nahi mai.” I will not give up. I cannot give up, because my daughter has dreams. She wants to study, to create art and to achieve great things in life.

We are not asking for luxury; we are asking for a chance. A chance for my daughter to move her hand again. A chance for her to live without constant pain. A chance for her to return to school and live like other children her age. The upcoming plastic surgeries and continued treatment require urgent financial support, and we are completely exhausted financially. Some kind-hearted people have helped us, but it is far less than what is required for her complete recovery.

Today, I fold my hands before every mother and father reading this. Please see Payel as your own child. Every small contribution, every prayer, every share of this campaign can bring her closer to healing. Together, you can help us complete her treatment and give her back her future. I believe in humanity, and I believe that with your support, my daughter will stand tall again.

From a mother’s heart, I thank you for your compassion. Please help me save my daughter.