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Dr. Gupta with her husband Paresh and twin
girls Anya and Anisa.
“The orphanage was amazing. The kids were always full of joy.
Even though we didn’t speak the same language, we were still able
to play with the kids and take care of them. The center also had a
sick ward, and a lot of kids were suffering from tuberculosis. Some
who weren’t orphans would still come for treatment. There were
also several children that were crippled and severely delayed as a
result of unsuccessful abortions. That was really sad to see,” she said.
Living in India was a challenge for the group of 19-year-olds.
Dr. Gupta explained that although her group was made up of Indian-Americans, the people in the city could tell they were westerners.
“Even walking to the orphanage from our hotel was an adventure.
Everyone always wanted to know where we were going and what
we were doing. We felt safest in the orphanage.”
Her brother, Rishi, joined them a few weeks later after finishing
high school, and he worked at the Center for the Dying and Destitute
where Dr. Gupta visited as well. “That was a really special place. They
took people who were dying on the street and gave them medicine
and a place to sleep. These were adults who were so frail I could
pick them up. It allowed them to die peacefully and with honor.”
On multiple occasions H