Arjun and Mehr sign up for a cause

Arjun Rampal and wife Mehr Jesia are cause ambassadors for the Nina Foundation, an NGO that offers world-class spinal cord injury services for overall well-being. The foundation enables affected patients to express their abilities, gives them financial independence and thus self-confidence and a sense of respect in their family and community.

Says Jesia, "My homeopathy doctor told me about the Foundation. Then Arjun and I met Ketna Mehta, from the organization. Ketna works for these kids affected by spinal cord injuries; she herself has a spinal cord injury, due to an accident. She convinced Arjun and me to walk for them at the Mumbai marathon this year."

Mehr says the courage shown by the affected children made them take up the cause. "Ketna asked Arjun and me to visit them and see the work they do. We were so moved, we decided to sign on. One doesn't recover from spinal cord injuries but just learns to deal with life. It's really sad. One has to be so patient with life... Pain and discomfort are the least of their concerns."

Mehr has attended many seminars held by Ketna in local trains. On June 25 the couple will jointly represent the NGO as their brand ambassadors at a seminar to be held near Ruia College in Matunga. Says Mrs Rampal, "We have agreed to be there. This is the first time Arjun and I are coming together.

We want to tell everyone that people suffering from spinal cord injuries can lead normal lives. The Nina Foundation wanted a picture of us at the Mumbai marathon, we requested Dabboo Ratnani to do a special photo shoot. That's how the posters came about. People like Ketna make you feel how important certain issues in life are."