New life to Preity Zinta’s sister-in-law

Chandigarh: ABOUT three months ago when actor Preity Zinta’s sister-in-law, Swati Shama, met with an accident on her way to Jammu, everyone had lost hope of her survival.

The driver, conductor and the passengers of the bus, by which she was travelling, had abandoned her in an unconscious state after the accident. But, a quick follow up at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu and a complex surgery at GMCH-32 has rekindled hope of her survival.

‘‘I am very happy today. As a doctor, I know what it could have meant, had I not been operated in time by Dr Raj Bahadur at GMCH,’’ Swati said.

The newly-wed doctor, belonging to a family of doctors, reveals that some good people coming by another bus picked her up from the spot. ‘‘At the Jammu hospital, one Dr Sanjay Gupta referred me to Dr Raj Bahadur saying he could save me from complications,’’ she said.

‘‘When they brought her here, I made it clear to the family members that her chances of survival were remote. The only hope that made me initiate aggressive treatment was a mild sensation of touch in her feet. Now she has fully recovered. I have suggested her to take little care for about three months,’’ Dr Bahadur said.

It is indeed her rebirth, states her mother-in-law Rama Shama, with a lump in her throat. ‘‘We could not see our daughter in pain. The injury in the dorsal spine level 7 could have paralysed her forever or may be something worse,’’ she said.

Dr Raj Bahadur said he was fearing that swelling in the spinal chord would ascended to the upper part of the body or affect the cardio vascular system.

`Preity came to meet her despite her tight schedule’
Preity Zinta, when heard about the accident, rushed to know about her sister-in-law’s well being. ‘‘I was in pain. I could not interact much with her,’’ says Swati Shama. Her maternal uncle, Ashok Sharma, an advocate in the District Courts, said they are happy that Preity took out time to come here despite her busy schedule.