Kanak fell down a cliffside on 20 August 2000 while on a trek around Annapurna. He was rescued by Kunda and Padam Ghaley, hauled up the cliff on porter-back and brought to Kathmandu by helicopter. It turned out that a punctured lung had healed while still on the mountain, and the scalp wounds were not deep. However, the upper back was badly hurt and Kanak's vertebrae needed 'fixation'. He was operated at Bir Hospital, and fitted with a late-model 'halo' and 'vest' sent by a doctor friend from the New York, which arrived just in time for the operation. After some weeks in hospital, Kanak is now recuperating at home. He will have to wear the halo and vest for some months and is rapidly adjusting to the structure. He is exercising, and is now able to communicate on email. Kanak's voice is not yet fully restored, so he cannot come to the phone.

The above was written in January 2001. Kanak Mani Dixit is now fully recovered and back at work. He and some friends have got together to open the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center at Jorpati, Kathmandu.

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