Strength. Character. Faith. Niketa Ghiya has them all. And in abundance. And her Bharat Natyam recital on Sunday was proof of that fact. Before you dismiss her as just another dancer, hear her story and the resilience she displayed in the face of trauma.

In 1986, a carefree 16-year-old Niketa was vacationing at her uncle's place in Bombay when she fell ill. Doctors first thought it was jaundice, but it turned out to be much more serious: both her kidneys had failed. On being advised immediate kidney transplant, her mother rushed from Ahmedabad and donated her kidney to her only daughter.

For the next 10 years, Niketa lived life to the full, completing her B Com and then doing a diploma in Early Childhood Carriage from Sophiya College, Mumbai. She also did a stint as a teacher. But fate had another blow in store for her.

In 1995, the transplanted kidney also failed. ``I knew this was coming from the deteriorating blood reports and even the doctors had been apprehensive about it. I went into dialysis,'' Niketa remembers without any hint of regret. Her mother Renukaben was, however, heartbroken. ``There is no one else in the family who can donate a kidney. And the laws are such that we can't even advertise openly. We need a donor.''

For three months, Niketa was on dialysis in Ahmedabad but because of certain side-effects, her condition worsened. That's when she decided to go to Nadiad as the facilities there are better. Till date, she goes to Nadiad thrice a week for dialysis. ``Sometimes, there are complications like vomiting, blood pressure fluctuations and fever. Otherwise, I'm doing fine,'' she smiles.

There was, however, something missing in her life: her dance. This trained Bharat Natyam dancer who had performed her Arangetram under the tutelage of Mrinalini and Mallika Sarabhai was strictly forbidden to dance. ``Due to the heavy medication and steroids, my bones had become weak so I ran the risk of fracturing them. Moreover, I had gained almost 25 kgs. The doctors had advised me against any strenuous activities,'' says Niketa. According to Renukaben, Niketa was in severe depression. ``Even though the doctors wanted her to do something to keep her mind occupied, she was unwilling to do anything. I had to push her for everything.''

Then in February, Niketa's zeal to dance was sparked off anew when she saw her young neighbour Makrand performing his arangetram. ``I decided then that I wanted to pursue dance again.'' She started training, this time under Bijoy Shivram of Preksha, who is all praise for her.

``Niketa amazes me. She is so much stronger than the other students. Besides, what sets her apart is her keenness. Others pursue dance only as a hobby but for Niketa, it's life,'' says Shivram. ``Looking at her, one would never know she's been through so much. She is always laughing. It's as though her illness is only a minor irritant.''

Says Renukaben, ``It's amazing how even after an hour of dancing, she is not fatigued. No one knows where she gets the strength from. She is almost fit now and thanks to dancing, her health is better.''

For Niketa, dance is the ultimate joy. In fact, she doesn't want a donor anymore. ``Earlier, every time she had to go for dialysis, she'd wish for a donor. But now she says she doesn't want a transplant as it might put a stop to her dancing,'' says Renukaben.

Apart from dancing, Niketa also conducts classes of arts and crafts and calligraphy. ``My family's support keeps me going, especially my maternal uncle's. He is the one who is supporting me emotionally and financially. Otherwise, dialysis is a very expensive procedure,'' says a grateful Niketa.

But she realises that not everyone can get an uncle like her. ``I want to do something for the poor kidney patients. Maybe, collect funds from corporate houses and individuals.'' How about dancing for the cause? ``That would be tough,'' she explains, ``not many people are fond of Bharat Natyam anymore. They don't even want to spend a hundred rupees on such recitals.''

She fervently hopes others will be inspired by her. ``I wish to tell everyone not to lose hope. Brooding about your illness will only make you sicker. Instead, do all that you want to do, that interests you.'' Her zest to live becomes evident from an anecdote Shivram relates. ``She drives down to Nadiad every time. When I asked her why she doesn't let her driver do it, she said, `At 6 in the morning, he's so sleepy that I'm afraid he'll bang the car and I'll die in an accident. I don't want that'!''