2001 Gujarat Earthquake Volunteer Who Suffered Mental Trauma Rescued From Shackles After 9 Yrs

The 2001 Gujarat earthquake was one of the deadliest the country has ever experienced. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake had killed around 20,000 people and destroyed the lives of many more.

Sachinsinh Vadher is one of the thousands of people whose lives were devastated by the quake.

He did not suffer any personal losses due to the earthquake, it changed his life for the worse.

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The then 22-year-old was a volunteer who worked overtime, rummaging through the debris for bodies and hoping to find lucky survivors.

Gave dignified cremation to victims

Vadher even took the pains of giving a dignified cremation to the victims.

But the number of deaths, destruction and damage he saw had a devastating impact on his mental health.

According to The Times of India, Vadher sank into depression and never came out. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2004-5 that only grew severe.

The report added that Vadher was a promising cricketer at that time and his family, who work as casual labourers could not give him proper treatment.

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As he used to turn violent at times, the family moved him to their native Sukhpar village, where he was kept on chains.

His elder brother had abandoned him and Vadher was kept confined to a small room by her younger sibling.

But after nine years of ordeal, Vadher was freed from the chains after he was rescued by an NGO.

Lok Seva Sarvajanik Trust

Members of Lok Seva Sarvajanik Trust found Vadher in a semi-nude condition and he emanated a strong body odour as he was not given a bath for months.

They found that his legs and hands were tied with a chain. His movements were extremely feeble too. Vadher used to drag himself out of the room during day and go back inside at night.