About ten years ago, Prince and Love Zalte were born in Mumbai. In the fifth month of pregnancy, their mother, Shetal, found out that her children were Siamese twins. It was unknown whether they would be able to be separated, but the family immediately began saving money for a possible operation.
Immediately after birth, the babies were examined by leading doctors. The verdict was encouraging: they could be separated. The parents did not doubt for a minute. They turned to the best clinic they could afford.
When the brothers turned one, serious preparations began. It took two months. 30 specialists worked in the operating room for almost 12 hours. Only in the morning the chief surgeon reported the successful completion of the operation.
But Prince and Lav had another, no less difficult task ahead of them: learning to live separately. Under the supervision of doctors, they learned to crawl, stand up, and walk. They took their first steps only at the age of two. A year after the operation, doctors continued to visit the boys, and on the anniversary of their separation, they came to their home with pie and tea to celebrate the victory together.
Now they are almost four years old. They are healthy, active and no different from their peers. They love to play ball, dream of sports and, as before, spend almost all their time together. They have the same tastes, habits and dreams – and this is not surprising, because not long ago they were one whole.
The story of Prince and Lav is about the strength of doctors, the resilience of parents, and the little miracles that happen when you fight for life with all your heart.
