Dr.Tapesh Mathur

You must have multiple times seen Divyangs using prosthetic limbs such as artificial hands and legs. This invention has given a new flight to the lives of many people. Dr Tapesh Mathur Ji is one such person who is changing the lives of animals by extending the boon of artificial legs to them. So far, he has changed the lives of around 200 animals in 19 states by fitting them with artificial legs.

Dr Tapesh Ji is a government veterinarian and runs an organization called Krishna Limbs. He articulates that several such stray cattle and animals roam on the roads and often become victims of some accident. Meanwhile, there are numerous cases in which the injured lose their limbs. In such a situation, being a doctor, it’s his responsibility to effectively contribute towards improving their lives.

Dr Tapesh Ji was born on 16 January 1971 in Bikaner, Rajasthan. He studied veterinary medicine and later made a special identity in the field of surgery by doing more than 300 operations of rumenotomy (extracting plastic from the stomach of cows) while working in a rural polyclinic in government service. However, he always pondered on eradicating the disability of the animals. Gradually, he initiated to manifest these ideas into a reality. Failures came but continuous efforts were going on. To give meaning to this idea, he endeavoured uninterruptedly without any uproar.

“Work hard in silence, let success be your noise” embodying these words he gave form to Krishna Limb.

In 2014, after the increasing number of animal deaths, he was posted at Hingonia Gaushala in Jaipur. There he witnessed and felt the sufferings of those cows by staying in the cowshed. Thus, resolved to work more intensely towards his goal.

Why did Dr Tapesh Ji maintain the name Krishna Limb? In that cowshed, there used to be a small and adorable calf named Krishna, who was crippled. He successfully tested his invention on Krishna and his years of hard work paid off. Krishna’s limb transplant was successful and his happiness knew no bounds. He started springing with joy because the innocent being had never thought that he would be able to stand on his own feet. Dr Tapesh Ji gave Krishna not only a limb but also hope. Together with his wife Dr Shipra Ji, he named this non-stop successful campaign ‘Krishna Limb’.

Some owners of the animals leave them to die in gaushalas because of their disabilities. While others unwillingly had to do so. One such cow was Gomti, whose owner didn’t want to abandon her out of immense affection for her. However, being unsuccessful in their treatment journey, he had to leave her at the gaushala. Beloved Gomti was also a victim of disability. Then miserable Gomti’s news reached Dr Tapesh Ji and he spoke to Gomti’s owner and told him that Gomti could be cured. But some rules had to be followed and they would operate on Gomti’s feet free of cost. Being successfully operated Gomti went with her master. About a year later, on Krishna Janmashtami, Dr Tapesh Ji got a call from Gomti’s owner and he informed him that Gomti had given birth to a lovely calf.

We love all animals yet sometimes we neglect their suffering but Dr Tapesh Ji didn’t do this. Realizing its importance, he conducted extensive research and executed it successfully. As we are all aware that we face several inconveniencies while doing any noble work, similarly the biggest difficulty which confronted him was the financial challenge. To relieve him from this complication, his wife decided that both of them should spend almost 10% of their income towards this cause. The work picked up the pace and when this great work of his was discussed among the people, they came forward and supported him.

The Covid pandemic was catastrophic not only for humans but also for animals. Amidst such a crisis when humans had also left each other’s side, Dr Tapesh Ji didn’t leave the company of these animals and continued to do his work.

In view of his excellent work, he received many awards. Dr Tapesh Ji became India’s first Vet to be nominated to the Ministerial Committee in the year 2015-2017 (CPCSEA) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. In 2018-19 he received Bronze Medal from the World Veterinary Association (WVA), in the year 2020 he was also honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award, and Singh Memorial National Award as well. You have received many such awards from all across the world.

Dr Tapesh Ji mentions that “animals are very interesting friends. They neither ask any question nor do any kind of criticism.” So, we should help these friends of ours at every moment. As small assistance becomes the reason for someone’s happiness. Further, the moral and social qualities of a nation can be ascertained by looking at the condition of the animals living in that country.

Seeing this great work of his, the ‘Sant Eshwer Foundation’ has honoured Dr Tapesh Ji with the ‘Sant Eshwer Seva Samman’ for the year 2022.