NIHAL, THE FACE OF PROGERIA IN INDIA, DIES AT 15 IN TELANGANA

Nihal Shrinivas Bitla, a 15 year old kid who was suffering and battling from a rare genetic disorder Progeria succumbed to his condition at a hospital in Karimnagar, Telengana yesterday. Nihal played an instrumental role in spreading awareness about Progeria, through several campaigns. He became the face of the Progeria Research Foundation's campaign to detect undiagnosed children living in India.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, commonly known as progeria, is the condition where a child ages eight times faster than normal and hence has a much shorter life span than children their age. Such children usually die from a heart attack or stroke.

"We will continue our support to increase awareness on the disease and help other families who have children with this disease," Srinivas Bitla, Nihal's father, had said in an interview this January. The Bitlas are also aiding parents of another child who has been detected with Progeria, Aditya Sahu, aged 3 and a half years.

Nihal was ageing eight times faster which led to his premature death. Progeria is incurable and has an incidence of one in four million. Nihal, while aged 15, had a body that felt like it was beyond 60 years old. So far, 124 cases of Progeria have been identified globally and the Progeria Research Foundation, however, estimated there are over 250 such children fighting this disease of which 60 are from India. 

"I aspire to become Sam Berns of India," he had said in a documentary made on him for progeria. Sam Berns, who was 17 when he died, was also a patient of this rare genetic disorder. Berns left no stone unturned in order to spread awareness through motivational speeches and campaigns about Progeria and how it is effects deteriorates the body in no time.

Nihal even during his last days, he was at peace attending a wedding at Bhiwandi with his family. As he was suffering from dehydration, he was immediately taken to the hospital and the doctors suspected this was due to his hardened arteries, which usually happens to the elderly people, eventually leading to their deaths. 

Despite all of Nihal's efforts to spread awareness about Progeria, he still had t deal with social stigmas and had to stop attending school like every normal child. He liked painting and had the opportunity to personally gift one of his works to actor Aamir Khan. The Bollywood actor met Nihal after he found out the boy wanted to meet him.