From shelling to healing: Kashmiri woman finds her messiah in Punjab

Life had already shattered nineteen-year-old Wahida Tabassam, daughter of Rashid Khan from Poonch in Jammu & Kashmir, as she lost both her father and brother in the devastating Operation Sindoor shelling.

Her mother was left grappling with grief. Just as the family was trying to piece together their broken lives, another cruel twist arrived — Wahida was diagnosed with a rare bone tumour in her thigh, posing a threat to her life. For her mother, it felt as though the world had collapsed again.

Belonging to an unprivileged labour-class family, the cost of treatment — nearly Rs 1.5-2 lakh — was far beyond their reach. Yet, with hope in their hearts, they set out for Punjab. Their journey first took them to Amritsar, where a doctor guided them towards Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, and to the care of Dr Anubhav Sharma, a super-specialist in bone and soft tissue cancer.

At DMCH, Wahida’s family found not just a doctor but a saviour. Dr Anubhav, known for his distinctive expertise in CT-guided Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), promised them something extraordinary — not only medical care but complete financial responsibility. Mobilising his own resources, he reached out to his family, friends, and a welfare trust, who readily came forward to sponsor the entire treatment. For Wahida’s mother, it was as if a ray of light had pierced through the darkest clouds.

The surgery was performed with remarkable precision. Wahida underwent the specialised CT-guided RFA procedure — a unique operation involving no cuts and scarring, and leaving no tumour residue. With the operation now successfully completed, she will remain in the hospital for a few more days to recover. “All I can do is thank my messiah,” she says softly, overwhelmed by relief.

Her uncle, Abdul Aziz, who owns a small apple orchard back home, echoed the family’s emotions. “I had heard that Punjabis have bade dil (big hearts). Today, I have seen and lived this truth. The doctor not only performed the surgery but also arranged the funds and ensured there was no scar on Wahida’s thigh. I am indebted forever.”

For Wahida’s mother, who once thought life had ended with the shelling, Punjab became the land of hope. For Wahida, it was the place where pain turned into healing. And for Dr Anubhav Sharma, it was another reminder that medicine is not just about science — it is about humanity, empathy, and the courage to stand beside those who have no one else.

“Wahida’s journey is more than a medical success — it is a story of resilience and generosity, showing the power of human hearts that refuse to let despair win,” reflects Dr Anubhav.