Lakshmi is called Nunu by those who are closest to her in the new home. Early this year, the family left Manaklao for nearly five months to fulfill a mannat (religious promise) in their native village.
"We had vowed to give a sacrifice of two goats and also build a temple in her name," says Shambhu, "We sacrificed the goats for about Rs 12,000 but don't have money for the temple yet. I am trying to collect money from people but bricks have become so expensive."
Though it had been a wonderful return back to the village, with people dropping in to see her, Lakshmi had taken seriously ill. The fever lasted nearly 15 days and the recovery was long and painstaking. Apart from seeking treatment from the medical doctor, they even asked the village ojha (considered a faith healer in villages) for a totem to ward the evil eye. "It cost Rs 3,000 and is tied around her neck," says Shambhu.
His wife had wanted to stay longer, till the Bihari festival of Chhat Puja perhaps, but the thought of Nunu's impending surgeries had brought them back.
"I can't tell you our happiness when we saw her walk for the first time. We couldn't believe that she could be alright and we want her to get fully well," says Poonam adjusting her youngest daughter Saraswati in her lap.
She says they miss their family and village, but know the move is best for their child. "These people at the school are greater than god for me," says Shambhu.
Image: The family of five moved from their village in Bihar to Rajasthan, a state they had never seen before, when a school for polio-affected children offered to help.
Also see: Medical marvel gives Lakshmi a new life
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