Purulia, a district in the westernmost part of West Bengal, sits at the crossroads of cultural and geographic influences from Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bengal. It is a land of undulating terrain, tribal traditions, and scenic beauty, bordered by low-lying hills and covered in patches of forests and farmlands. Despite its charm and vibrant cultural life, Purulia continues to struggle with issues like poverty, limited infrastructure, and healthcare inaccessibility, especially in remote villages.
With a current estimated population of over 3.4 million, Purulia is largely rural and agrarian in nature. The majority of its residents are engaged in farming and agricultural labor, tending to crops like rice, pulses, and seasonal vegetables. In addition to crop cultivation, livestock rearing—particularly goats, cows, and poultry—is an essential part of their livelihood. However, farming is still done using traditional methods and manual labor, making daily life physically exhausting, especially for women and older members of the community. Employment beyond agriculture is scarce, with a few people finding work as weavers, potters, or in small-scale handicraft industries.
Purulia is culturally rich and deeply rooted in tribal and folk traditions. Its people speak Bengali, Kurmali, and Santali, with dialects and expressions often reflecting the oral histories of various tribal groups like the Santhals and Kurmis. Festivals such as Tusu Parab, Bhadu Parab, and Chhau dance performances are celebrated with enthusiasm, bringing villages together through music, rituals, and colorful processions. The district is also known for its vibrant masks and terracotta crafts, highlighting a strong tradition of rural artistry that has been passed down for generations. The confluence of cultures from neighbouring Jharkhand and Odisha gives Purulia a unique identity, reflected in its customs, cuisine, and even clothing.
But despite this rich cultural tapestry, education levels in Purulia remain a concern, especially in tribal and remote areas. Many children are first-generation learners, and while the government has made efforts to expand access through schools and literacy programs, drop-out rates are high due to poverty, early marriage, or the need to support family income. Literacy rates hover below the state average, and access to quality higher education is minimal, particularly for girls.
These socio-economic and educational limitations directly affect the health outcomes of the region. In Purulia, healthcare services are limited, especially when it comes to specialized care. Long distances, lack of transportation, and financial barriers prevent villagers from seeking medical help, often forcing them to live with chronic conditions without diagnosis or treatment. Among the most overlooked health issues are spine-related disorders. The region’s dependence on manual labour—lifting, digging, carrying loads, and bending for prolonged hours in the field—has led to a rise in spinal ailments like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, chronic lower back pain, and degenerative disc disease. Unfortunately, such conditions are not only misunderstood but also normalized due to lack of awareness, making early intervention rare.
Recognizing this urgent healthcare gap, The Spine Foundation has taken significant steps to bring spinal care to the people of Purulia. In February 2023, the foundation—working alongside grassroots partners like MANT and Swasthya Swaraj—held a spine camp at a local public school. Nearly 500 villagers received consultations for spine-related issues during this camp, where healthcare professionals provided not only diagnosis and treatment but also educated people on posture, safe lifting techniques, and simple back-strengthening exercises to prevent future injury.
Building on this momentum, The Spine Foundation returned to Purulia for a Surgical Spine Camp from August 2nd to 4th, 2024, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Purulia Service Centre. This camp marked a vital milestone in specialist rural care. Three patients underwent successful spine surgeries, treating complex conditions like herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, and disc degeneration. For the patients, these surgeries restored not just mobility, but their ability to work and live independently again—free from years of pain.
Again, in December 2024, from the 28th to the 30th, the foundation organized another Surgical Spine Camp at Rotary Hospital, Purulia, continuing its mission to reach the unreached. In this round, three more patients received life-altering spinal operations, again free of cost. What made this intervention especially meaningful was its holistic approach—along with surgeries, villagers were given consultations, physiotherapy advice, and lifestyle recommendations. The camp also served as a space to educate the community on recognizing symptoms early and understanding that back pain is not a life sentence.
In regions like Purulia, where traditions and hardship go hand in hand, and where even a short walk to a clinic can seem like a mountain to climb, The Spine Foundation’s presence offers more than medical aid—it offers hope, dignity, and the promise of a healthier tomorrow.
