This story is from April 1, 2021

Granny beats Covid at 91, rides pillion 268 km to return home in Yavatmal

Doctors keep stressing on the fact that combating Covid-19 is more of a mental and emotional test rather than physical. There are many examples of senior citizens coming out of the Covid ordeal on the basis of sheer will power and 91-year-old Parvatibai Khanzode is one such inspiration.
Granny beats Covid at 91, rides pillion 268 km to return home in Yavatmal
She not only recovered from Covid-19 in Nagpur, but also travelled back to her hometown Ganjegaon in Umarkhed Tehsil, some 268 km away, on her grandson’s bike.
NAGPUR: Doctors keep stressing on the fact that combating Covid-19 is more of a mental and emotional test rather than physical. There are many examples of senior citizens coming out of the Covid ordeal on the basis of sheer will power and 91-year-old Parvatibai Khanzode is one such inspiration.
She not only recovered from Covid-19 in Nagpur, but also travelled back to her hometown Ganjegaon in Umarkhed Tehsil, some 268 km away, on her grandson’s bike.

Her grandson, Ankush, works for the Maharashtra Security Guards (MSG) and is deployed at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). He told TOI that his grandmother insisted on going home on his bike.
“My grandma is fond of bike rides. Since she insisted, I decided to fulfil her wish because doctors had told me that it’s the responsibility of relatives to keep the Covid patient mentally and emotionally happy. It took us an entire day to reach our village. Family members welcomed her with garlands,” said Ankush.
Parvatibai had tested positive on March 13 a their native village in Umarkhed Tehsil of Yavatmal. As her fever was not receding, Ankush and other family members shifted her to GMCH Nagpur on March 16. “My grandma was unhappy in hospital. After two days, she wanted to go back home. After her oxygen level became normal, doctors allowed me to take her to my room where I stay alone,” said Ankush.
Parvatibai stayed in Ankush’s room for ten days in home isolation. Ankush used to take care of her medicinal and dietary needs. He also checked her SPO2 level regularly.

“I used to boost her confidence. Once, to cheer her up, I promised to take her back home on my bike if she recovered,” said Ankush. The motivation worked wonders and Parvatibai recovered in ten days. Her re-test for Covid on March 26 was negative.
“I was planning to hire an ambulance or a cab but my grandma insisted on the bike ride that I had promised her. I was surprised and worried as well. But she was confident,” said Ankush.
The duo decided to go home on Holi eve on Ankush’s Royal Enfield. It was a like a dream ride for Parvatibai. They started early in the morning from Nagpur and reached Ganjegaon by evening. “We took short breaks in Wardha, Yavatmal, Arni, Dhanora, Umarkhed and some other places. My grandma enjoyed the ride to the fullest. She told me that it was her dream to go on a long bike ride,” Ankush said.
Not only family members, even villagers of Ganjegaon welcomed Parvatibai with garlands. She said Covid-19 has fulfilled her long-cherished dream.
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About the Author
Chaitanya Deshpande

Chaitanya Deshpande is Principal Correspondent at The Times of India, Nagpur. He has a PG degree in English literature and Mass communication. Chaitanya covers public health, medical issues, medical education, research in the fields of medicine, microbiology, biotechnology. He also covers culture, fine arts, theatre, folk arts, literature, and life. Proficient in Marathi and Hindi along with English, Chaitanya loves music, theatre and literature of all three languages.

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