Gujarat Govt saves life of ailing Somnath devotee in massive op

Git Somnath | Updated: 24 December, 2022 12:57 pm IST
Sitaben Patel, 80, complained of extreme chest pain during her stay at the Somnath temple’s Sagar Darshan Guest House in Veraval area of Gir Somnath district on Friday evening.
Sitaben Patel, 80, complained of extreme chest pain during her stay at the Somnath temple’s Sagar Darshan Guest House in Veraval area of Gir Somnath district on Friday evening.

In a commendable effort to save lives, the Gujarat government and the Somnath temple trust launched a multi-district operation to save the life of an elderly devotee who fell critically ill on the temple premises on Friday.

Sitaben Patel, 80, complained of extreme chest pain during her stay at the Somnath temple’s Sagar Darshan Guest House in Veraval area of Gir Somnath district on Friday evening.

“She was first sent to Aditya Birla Hospital in Veraval where she was given primary treatment. As the old woman needed advanced treatment, she had to be taken to Ahmedabad,” said Vijaysinh Chavda, general manager of Somnath Trust.

She was airlifted from the Veraval airport to Ahmedabad, with a stopover at the airport in Keshod by authorities of the Somnath temple and the Gujarat government, said her son Vasudev Bhai Patel. Sitaben was given ICU-on-wheels on her way to Ahmedabad.

“The air ambulance had to stop in Keshod for treatment in a private hospital. Her situation was so bad that we had to keep a hospital ready as an option in Rajkot. Collector and medical staff were called at the Rajkot airport,” said an official.

Now, she is out of danger, according to her son.

“The temple trust led by the prime minister and the Gujarat government have the courage to lay down their lives for a single life. Life and well-being of every devotee who visits the temple are precious,” said general manager Chavda.

He further said: “Somnath Trust not only provides accommodation, food and darshan facilities to the pilgrims, but every traveller who comes to visit Somnath gets full support from the trust and the Gujarat government.”

“By crossing all limits, the trust and the state government use all resources at their disposal to ensure the safety and welfare of temple visitors. Sitaben Patel is a living example who is breathing peacefully in Ahmedabad,” Chavda concluded.

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