Dinesh Kamath's news 'He came, He saw and He contributed' that was published in Newsband

He came, He saw and He contributed

By Dinesh Kamath (As shared by Dr Jayakar Ellis, President of Heart Foundation, CBD-Belapur)

NAVI MUMBAI: In times when normal people don’t even bother about others, a youth Jethro Daniel born to Daniel Victor and Lata Daniel on 10th December, 1995, and a Navi Mumbaite for long years, who inspite of being diagnosed as affected by Cerebral Palsy and Microcephally, reached out to whomever he could about being selfless and encouraging all those whom he met till the end of his life, 19th July, 2015.

He was affected in all his limbs by extreme impairment that he could not coordinate any one of his limbs. His speech remained impaired throughout. Given his condition Jethro needed extra doses of love and affection. His parents Lata and Daniel and his elder sister Rhoda gave that to him with all their heart. “We spared no effort to show that he very much belonged to us and indeed he was of particular importance to us. We were to set ourselves as his immediate hope and sure we did" says his dad Daniel.

Although Jethro lived with these conditions, he brought vivacity to life by his faith. Jethro exhibited right at an early age of 4 an unusual ability to use his shoulder as a pointer and thrust it towards alphabets spread before him, to form words and sentences. Jethro's talent to compose poems soon came to light. This was in spite of Jethro not having been to school any time. "Without me you are not complete; without me you are not fulfilled" reveals Jethro's consciousness of GOD and mankind's need for him. “And lets respect God for all that He has given" as a Creator, is the wafting encouragement that this totally 'crippled', 'dumb' teenager gives to mankind.

“Growing up with his obvious limitations and his winsome talents Jethro grew to be fondly but deeply concerned about the state and need of society. "Without Truth and character how barren you look" was Jethro's exasperation, about the nation. He rallied others "Waste no time of yours for refreshing. U take your time, all needed efforts to make. Without you the State is bound to perish". How true!” said Dr. Jayakar Ellis, a close family friend and a favorite Uncle of Jethro.

A large part of Jethro’s life was lived closely besides his parents in their association with accounting firms around the world to give them an opportunity in VITAE International, a business, to have the support of Indians in their work of audit, accounting and taxation in their respective countries.

Of JETHRO it can be said, that 'he came, he saw and he contributed'. A muted boy may be, but a giant awakener of human conscience across the world. As someone put it, 'What someone could have accomplished over 91 years of life, Jethro accomplished in just 19 years', what with such extreme limitation in physical capacity! That is such a compelling lesson for the frivolous generation that we are turning ourselves mostly to be.

“The documentary 'The Power of love & commitment - the Jethro Daniel Story', directed by Pugal, produced in English, Tamil and Hindi has won the Special Festival Mention-Jury award at the 5th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival. It will be distributed free in DVD format to all Government departments and organizations across India involved in the care and rehabilitation of the similarly otherwise abled as Jethro, in memory of Jethro's contribution to the world including specially to this community” said Rhoda, his sister.

The movie is regularly screened in corporate establishments, schools and colleges and will be screened on 21st August 2015 at the CIDCO Auditorium, Vashi Navi Mumbai at 7 pm and  in a couple of locations in Navi Mumbai during the weekend. For screening of the movie in schools and colleges in Navi Mumbai, please contact Dr. Jayakar Ellis on 8080007777.