Bura update for 7/20

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
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We finally were able to get thru via phone to Nepal. 7AM Nepali time and Pala was just back from Swayambunath after completion of AM puja.

Bura is able to speak some now and is raising hell with the "incompetent kamis" for doing such poor work. He's getting better but still too weak to pound steel! Gelbu, the most educated and medically knowledgeable in the family, says he is almost certain Bura suffered a stroke -- for whatever that's worth. Bura went for checkup a day or two back and doc says he's doing fine but is facing meds for the rest of his life. Med clots meds, I'm sure. I think Bura is going to be hard to kill.

Another thing I learned is that after Bura's release from Bir hospital Pala took him to his home and cared for him until he was sure Bura was OK. Bura lives an hour by bus from Bir hospital -- no phone and no transportation. Pala lives 10 minutes away from the hospital and has tranportation available. Bura's wife is illiterate and has no idea about health care. She didn't complain and Pala did what was right and needed doing and my hat's off to him.

All in all not such bad news.

Thanks again to all who helped from Pala, Bura, Bura's family, and me.
 
This is really good news. Now we have to make sure you are also going to keep healthy and soon we will be all back in business, calling you for "special orders" that will drive both Bura and you crazy.

Once Bura is fully operational, I was thinking may be a Kobra made out like a khotimoda .. or may be design a new knife and send you a wood model that will drive the kamis nuts :D :D :D

Anyway, Prayers are going up for the both of you.

Looking forward to betters days
 
Cautious optimism, and continued prayers (probably the best approach for most things in life, come to think of it).
 
Great news Uncle. :) Thanks for keeping us up to date.
 
great to hear the news on bura, now he doesant need the $5000 operation what happens to the money we sent to pala for buras op ??
i think it should go towards bura + his familys upkeep and welfare till he is fully recovered,he will surely need ongoing care,medicines ect.if neccesary i would be prepared to send more.best regards ken:) :) :) :)
 
We have paid all Bura's medical expenses and will continue to do so and since he can't produce anything (it's a piece work payment plan at BirGorkha) we have put him on a salary and it will stay that way until he is able to work again -- regardless of how long that might be. Any excess money that may not be needed for Bura goes into the BirGorkha Social Services fund to be used for other kamis & their families who might need health care or face other disasters.
 
Bill, that's really great news. I was pretty worried when I finally got back here and saw that Bura was sick.

I'll keep the prayers going out for his speedy recovery.

Alan
 
I think you are right Uncle Bill. If Bura is raising that much of a fuss about the work the Kami's are doing. After what he has already been through. He is going to be one tough gent to get rid of. Looks like it will take more than a blood clot. I sure won't forget to pray for him.

Still, like Berk. says a bit of caution is in order. If he tries to go back too soon, it might not be good at all.

I pray for HI and better times ahead. They have to be coming.:)
 
and more prayers, and maybeso, more aspirin.

Bill, is Bura reasonable enough to TAKE the meds regularly? Or might he be hard to convince once the inital problems disappear? Do you have a "designated nag-ger?"

The BirGorkha financial assistance fund is a wonderful idea. There is a small society in Nepal that you take care of, isn't there? Pretty classy.


and more prayers, and maybeso, more aspirin.


Kis
:rolleyes:



We're all in this together, somehow.
 
I'm glad to hear he is doing better. It sounds like he wants to come back to work already. Tell him to take it easy and get well first.
He's still in our prayers.
God Bless.
Terry
 
Sounds like guarded good news. I hope things go well with Bura's health and he makes a complete recovery. In any event I agree with the disposition of the money that was raised, I like the idea of the kamis having a little fall back money if there is any left after Bura's treatment. In addition, I somehow doubt that Nepal has prescription cards so Bura or ony of the other kamis and family members could probably use a little help there.
 
Really glad to hear that Bura is back at the shop. Whether or not he can pound steel again, I suspect he has a lot he can teach the others -- if they're willing to learn. And his attitude about production quality is incredible.
 
bill i remember you were saying about the trouble in nepal,an how it has been affecting work at the kamis workshop.is there any likelihood of actual harm to the kamis ???, i hope not, they are nepalese why would they come to harm ??/?.is it because they do work for us making the fine khuks??.on another side tell bura to take it easy abit, he can still supervise the other kamis but shouldant get to worked up or excited.i hope he makes a full recovery.best regards to all the kamis and keep safe.oh by the way do they have any police or military close by the workshop ect .??:confused: :)
 
Uncle Bill, you and Pala are a class act. I much regret can all I can contribute is money and prayers but I am heartened that it will be used to make a difference. Of all the cash I spent over these last few years on Bladeforums, this one has brought me the most satisfaction.

Andrew Limsk
 
I suspect that Pala is the meds naggar. Pala has been around enough to know the importance of sticking with the program. But you're right. The standard Nepali philosophy regarding meds is, "I feel better so why do I need to keep taking them."

I had to chuckle when I learned that Pala had taken Bura home to keep an eye on him when he was discharged from the hospital. Pala lives next door to a Brahmin family and I'm sure they were aghast at the notion of bringing an untouchable into the household to live, sleep and eat.

And, I got a little good news for a change. Remember Ramasore, Sgt. Karka's kid, who we helped get thru college? Well, he just wrangeld a six year scholarship in Latvia which should get him his MD degree! If we hadn't helped him this would have been an impossibility. Now think about the consequences. If Ram gets his MD degree and returns to Nepal to practice medicine and ends up fixing a bunch of sick Nepalis that initial investment has paid off a million times. And the notion of a kami MD treating sick Brahmins appeals to me greatly.

Stay tuned.
 
Just back....
Very encouraging news about Bura from a medical standpoint.
Delighted he is better, taking, walking and apparently fully functional though not yet up to speed.
Uncle Bill, you continue to shine in your generous, wise and heart-felt ways.
I too hope Bura continues taking his meds for that is the only way those "little pills" work; they don't help much if you put them on the altar as puja:rolleyes:
Great to know you are BOTH still around for us, hopefully for a long, looong time.

Blessings and Prayers
 
Uncle, please explain exactly what is meant by untouchable - why would the neighbours object/feel uncomfortable having Bura stay there or have I taken it the wrong way and it is an honour ?
 
An untouchable is the lowest in the Hindu caste system. This is the caste to which the kamis belong. Brahmins are highest. Most Brahmins will not allow a sudra (untouchable) to enter their home let alone invite one in to stay with them for a few days.
 
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