2 accidents bring 2 Maharajas to a cause close to their heart

Says a still disconsolate Holkar, “Pam had several hours of oxygen deprivation to the brain before she was given essential ventilatory support. We feel this lack of adequate oxygen to the brain led to a great deal of Pam’s brain trauma and her resultant sad condition today. Had emergency services been better equipped and trained, and Pam received critical support in the hours directly after her injury, her brain would have suffered less damage, and she would have had a better chance for better recovery.’’

According to Holkar, despite the best hospital, medical and nursing care, Pam has paid the price for the lack of initial critical care. “While family support is top class, there are no trained therapists to care for the care givers, nor support groups where I can share my hopes and fears, and learn and be comforted from others’ experiences,’’ says Holkar. “We urgently and desperately need improved care for people who have suffered or will suffer traumatic brain injury.’’

It is a wistful Gaj Singh who recounts, “The Brain Trauma Foundation in NY played such an important role in my son Shivraj’s recovery from the polo accident. Dr Jamshid Ghajar, neurosurgeon and president of the BTF, was immediately brought in to consult on my son’s treatment in India. Following BTF’s guidelines for treatment, Shivraj emerged from the coma and has made enormous progress in his recovery which continues at our home here in Jodhpur.’’

Not surprisingly, it is with missionary zeal Gaj Singh has vowed to bring the BTF expertise and systems to India, and the foundation will work with major Indian hospitals and medical professionals through this new trust. The gala is billed to be luxurious and grand, a fabulous beginning to NY’s social season, micromanaged to the last detail.

The doors will open to society ladies and men who are ready to blow up to $50,000 for the high table, the others can be comforted at tables as low as $1000. Says Gaj Singh, “The theme of the evening is Rajasthan, with colourful cultural themes, exotic culinary delights, a dazzling fashion show and exciting entertainment.’’

Designers who have been contacted include Jodhpur’s Raghavendra Rathore, apart from the usual, Rohit Bal, Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla, Tarun Tahiliani and others. The guest list, friends of Holkar and Gaj Singh, will send a hush down the hall, from excellencies and highnesses to the very glittering —Ron and Heidi Winston of the famed diamond house, Harry Winston,

Prince Michel de Grece, Sonny and Gita Mehta, Frederic Hennessy, Suzanne van Liebig, Alexander Rooks, Mary McFadden, Sarah Giles, Jan and Nicole d’Ansembourg, Henri and Estelle SaintBris, et al.

“The funds will help establish a BTF model programme in three private hospitals in Delhi: Indraprastha Apollo, Fortis and Max,’’ says a hopeful Holkar. “We have to change things around.’’