Home>Service> Awardees of Fervent Global Love of Lives Award> 25th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2022> India Schweitzer - Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya
India Schweitzer - Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya
“happy to be the shortest doctor in the world to treat the poorest patients”
People have always made fun of me in the past, and I have always been their laughing stock. I never care what people say about me, it doesn't matter to me. My own life plan - to treat the poorest patients, and to realize the plan.
“happy to be the shortest doctor in the world to treat the poorest patients”
People have always made fun of me in the past, and I have always been their laughing stock. I never care what people say about me, it doesn't matter to me. My own life plan - to treat the poorest patients, and to realize the plan.
—Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya
Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya, an Indian life warrior with a height of only 94 cm, was determined to follow the example of Schweitzer, who practiced medicine in Africa since he was a child, overcame prejudice, rejected the circus, insisted on legal justice, won the right to study medicine, was happy to be the shortest doctor in the world, and determined to treat the poorest patients.This is the most inspirational news in 2018 that has shocked the world. It has shocked the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Supreme Court of India has ruled in favor of Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya: attending a public medical school in India is legal and constitutional, and no one can deprive him of becoming a medical students and the right to be a physician.
In 2018, Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya was 17 years old, suffered from a rare dwarfism in the world and was only 94 cm tall, but he worked harder than anyone else, getting up at 4 am every day to study, and went to school independently at 6 am every day. He was always the first to arrive at school, the last to go home after school, and to be among the best in all aspects of schoolwork.
In May 2018, Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya was admitted to the Indian public medical school with an excellent score of 233 (passing score of 86), but he was rejected from the medical school due to his height.
Dr. Dalpat Katariya, founder of Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya's alma mater, stepped forward to help him in time, hire a human rights lawyer for him, and bear all legal fees and tuition fees. He has been defeated by the district court and the high court of India, but this doctor who are determined to treat the poorest patients are as firm as a rock, fight to the end and appeal to the Supreme Court of India.
In October 2018, a judge of the Supreme Court of India ruled that Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya won the lawsuit, paving the way for him to "be the shortest doctor in the world and be determined to treat the poorest patients".
Therefore, with the spirit of never giving up, being more and more courageous and never turning back, Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya has always worked hard to break through discrimination, ridicule and prejudice, adhere to legal justice and win the right to study medicine. He is happy to be the world's shortest doctor. He is determined to treat the poorest patients and witness that "all things in their being are good for something". He is worthy of the title of "Indian Schweitzer".
The poor child from peasant family have no way to seek medical treatment since childhood
Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya was born on July 1, 2001 in a poor peasant family in Talaja Town, Bhavnagar County, Gujarat, the westernmost state of India. His father, Viththalbhai Bachhuahai, owns three dairy cows and makes a living by milking and selling fresh milk every day; His mother, Devuben Viththalbhai, is a housewife who also works odd jobs on the farm to support his family. His parents are very diligent and frugal. Although they are low-income families, they not only provide the food and clothing of the whole family, but also let the eight brothers and sisters (seven sisters and one brother) complete primary school. As a low-income family in India, it is so valuable that they also pay attention to children's education.
As a child of poor peasant family, Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya had no access to medical treatment since childhood. The village hospital diagnosed him with muscle weakness and almost no cure.
His parents still took him around and seeking medical treatment. He had been diagnosed with dwarfism by many hospitals. The synthesis of a hormone mainly responsible for body development was insufficient. The doctor prescribed that he must inject growth hormone every day until he was 18 years old. However, a shot of growth hormone costs NT $5000, about Indian rupees 13016.60. His parents had to give up the expensive treatment of injecting growth hormone in order to maintain the basic needs of the family.
His head began to grow bigger than his body. His parents found that he was more and more different from ordinary people. He was carried around by his parents and they even walked more than 300 kilometers to seek secret prescriptions and folk prescriptions. They consulted rare disease experts in local hospitals, but each doctor said there was nothing he could do. All kinds of genetic diseases around the world could not be cured.
In order to pray for his safe growth, his mother ran all over India's famous temples to pray and make wishes, but there was still no improvement. His mother even put a bucket on his head, just like a special bucket hat, trying to stop his head from growing up and let his height to catch up.
Breaking through discrimination and striving for the top
Unafraid of discrimination, ridicule and prejudice, Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya gets up at 4 a.m. and goes to school at 6 a.m. every day. No matter it is primary school, junior middle school or senior high school, he is always the first to arrive at school and the last to leave, so that he ranks among the best in all his lessons and is excellent in both character and learning.
India's most famous "Magic Circus" came to offer a high price to buy him. The whole family, including him, flatly refused. The family was afraid that the circus would kidnap him, so his father escorted her to and from school every day and accompanied him to and from class.
He lived up to all expectations, step by step with efforts. His talent, intelligence and diligence made up for his lack of height.
He spent all his time on studying. From childhood, he not only showed high IQ, but also showed excellent EQ. Some students laughed at him, but he didn't care, and even took the initiative to be a little teacher and actively and enthusiastically solved the difficult and miscellaneous problems for his classmates. Many students were deeply moved by his selflessness and enthusiasm to help others. They helped him carry his bag and accompany him to the bathroom to prevent him from falling because he couldn't walk normally.
In the past, people always made fun of him, and everyone took him as a laughing stock. He never cares what others say about him. None of this matters to him. He has a solid life plan - to serve as a caring doctor to treat the poorest patients and make up his mind to achieve it.
The biggest inspirational news in the world
In May 2018, Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya was admitted to the Indian public medical school with excellent score. However, the Indian university admission committee declined him to attend the public medical school on the grounds that he was too short.
Thanks to Dr. Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya, the founder of the alma mater of the high school, and Revatsinh Sarvaira, the president of the high school who help Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya call on all walks of life at home and abroad to come forward and sponsor his legal fees, tuition fees and living expenses, in addition to filing a lawsuit in courts at all levels and making a voice to the international community, his case also attracted great attention of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The District Court of India and the high court of India originally accepted the decision of the admission committee of Indian university and the Indian Medical Committee: on the grounds that Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya suffered from the rare disease dwarfism, and was unable to perform emergency medical behavior in practical treatment. He was classified as a person with severe physical and mental disabilities. Special arrangements must be made for him, and the decision was made to cancel his right to study medicine in medical school.
At that time, Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya told the international media: "I am very disappointed and strongly protest this. I reject the decisions of the Indian university admission committee, the Indian Medical Committee, the Indian District Court and the Indian High Court on human rights violations. I will continue to uphold justice and appeal to the Supreme Court of India and even the international tribunal of the United Nations."
Dr. Dalpat Katariya, the founder of his high school alma mater, always accompanied him and encouraged him. At the same time, he told the international media: "when I first saw him, I saw his passion, dream and hope. I think he is wise and loving. I regard him as my second child, and I will always sponsor him until he becomes a famous doctor for the poorest patients."
Indian proverb: everything is the best arrangement. Be grateful for everything in your life.
Indian poet laureate Tagore, who won the Nobel Prize for literature, said: the sufferings you suffer today, the losses you suffer, the responsibilities you take, the sins you bear, and the pain you endure will eventually become light, illuminating your way.
It is absolutely true: all the hardships, losses, responsibilities, sins and pain undertaken by Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya have become a light that illuminates the world.
Therefore, the Supreme Court of India made the most impartial judgment: Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya's study and practice of medicine at the Indian public medical school are legal and constitutional, and no one can deprive him of his right to become a medical student and a doctor.
Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya is very grateful for the support of all walks at home and abroad and the support and help of Dr. Dalpat Katariya and other caring people.
Now, he has finally realized his dream of studying and practicing medicine. He said with great humility: in the future, although he is the shortest doctor on Guinness record, he will definitely become the most caring doctor for the poorest patients.
More than 350 million people around the world encourage him with "like"
Readers of new and old media around the world, such as the British Daily Mail, continue to comment and leave messages to him:
— well done!
— His parents are so lucky!
— Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya has done a good job fighting to become a capable man! Wish him success in his studies and career.
— Dr. Jennifer Amold, 96 cm tall, is not only the savior of newborns, but also the most respected doctor in the United States. I believe Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya's dream will come true.
— What an inspirational story, he will certainly become a great doctor.
— His parents, sisters and brothers love him very much. Everyone wishes Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya good luck! I believe his unremitting efforts will be rewarded, and he will certainly realize his dream.
— Wish him good luck. With such determination and motivation, coupled with his intelligence, I bet he will become the best doctor.
— Many Indians are admitted to medical schools by caste and reserved places. JGanesh Viththalbhai Baraiya will become a better doctor than them in the future.
— I like the child and believe he will realize his dream. We can't wait to see him in Guinness records. We hope the teachers and students in the medical school can accept him and let him have a wonderful medical experience. The people who make fun of him are so mean.
— Inspirational and touching. Good luck, man!
— There is a famous dwarf plastic surgeon who did quite a good job. I believe Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya can surpass him
— The world needs doctors with physical and mental disabilities. How stupid it is to reject him. India is a heavily polluted country, and it is not a good place for women, children and animals. I hope Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya can drive change as a caring doctor.
— Great. I can't wait to see him stand out.
— I suggest he specialize in areas below the waist.
— Well done, I hope he can get his share of returns.
— Thank God for giving him more strength. He has love and support to help him face ignorance and prejudice!
— Well, I like the confident expression on his face.
— Bless him and his family. This is a great achievement, overcoming all kinds of difficulties and prejudices.
— This smart young man is now the pride of his family, and will be the pride of India and even the world, That's great!
— Age, gender and height should not be the threshold for education. We are very grateful to Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya for taking the lead in breaking through all obstacles. Good luck to Ganesh Viththalbhai Baraiya!
