A teenager from West Bengal has been taken to Mumbai for specialised medical evaluation after his unusual condition drew widespread attention online. The teenager, identified as Iqbal from Murshidabad, had reportedly been spending prolonged periods inside ponds because he experienced an intense burning sensation whenever he came out of the water.
His situation gained attention after videos showing him sitting in a pond and eating snacks circulated on social media. The reports eventually reached Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani, following which arrangements were made to bring the teenager to Mumbai for treatment. Recent reports say Iqbal has now been admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.
The case has raised questions about the underlying medical condition that led to such an unusual routine. It has also highlighted the importance of proper medical evaluation, particularly when a person is spending several hours a day in water.
Who Is Iqbal And Why Did He Stay In Ponds?
Iqbal is a teenager from Murshidabad, West Bengal. According to reports, he had developed an unusual pattern of spending much of his time in ponds. His family said he experienced an intense burning sensation when he came out of the water. Because remaining submerged appeared to provide relief, he reportedly continued staying in ponds for long periods.
ANI reported that Iqbal also described a feeling that a supernatural presence had taken over him. This reportedly contributed to his decision to remain in the water for hours. The unusual situation became widely known after a video surfaced online showing Iqbal sitting in a pond while eating snacks. The footage surprised viewers and prompted questions about his health and safety.
Local residents had reportedly become increasingly concerned because the teenager could be seen in ponds from morning until late at night. At times, he was also said to move between different water bodies.
Viral Video Brought Attention To His Condition
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The social media video played an important role in bringing Iqbal’s situation to wider public attention. For people who saw the footage, the teenager’s behaviour appeared unusual. Spending extended periods in a pond is very different from occasionally entering the water for swimming or recreation. The prolonged exposure also raised medical concerns.
According to reports, Iqbal’s family had already sought medical help. However, they said earlier treatment attempts had not provided a solution. Financial difficulties reportedly made it harder for the family to pursue prolonged or specialised treatment. That changed after the story gained wider attention. The case eventually reached Anant Ambani, who intervened to help arrange further medical care in Mumbai.
Anant Ambani Steps In To Help
Following the intervention, arrangements were made to bring Iqbal from West Bengal to Mumbai for further medical assessment. He was airlifted and admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, where doctors are now expected to carry out specialised evaluations and determine the appropriate course of treatment. A current report also says the teenager will receive treatment at the hospital free of cost.
Anant Ambani is an Executive Director of Reliance Industries and serves on the board of Reliance Foundation. The organization has a significant focus on healthcare access and outreach programmes. Reliance Foundation says its healthcare initiatives have provided millions of consultations through health outreach programmes. Its Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai is a major quaternary-care facility. For Iqbal and his family, the move to Mumbai could therefore provide access to specialists and diagnostic facilities that were difficult to obtain previously.
Doctors Warn About The Risks Of Staying In Water
While doctors work to understand why Iqbal feels the need to remain in water, medical experts have also warned about the consequences of prolonged immersion. A dermatologist at Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital told ANI that extended exposure to water can cause skin maceration. The condition occurs when skin remains wet for a prolonged period and becomes pale, soft and more vulnerable to irritation, cracks and infection.
Another dermatologist highlighted the possibility of fungal and bacterial infections. The concern is understandable. Human skin is not designed to remain continuously submerged for several hours at a time. Prolonged exposure can weaken the skin barrier and create conditions that allow infections to develop. This is why doctors have stressed that Iqbal needs proper medical evaluation rather than simply continuing to spend long periods in ponds.
His Family Had Sought Help Earlier
Iqbal’s parents reportedly tried to find medical assistance before the case received wider attention. According to ANI, the family had taken him to a hospital previously but did not see an improvement in his condition. They also said they could not afford prolonged treatment.
For families facing unusual or difficult-to-diagnose medical problems, the financial burden can become a major obstacle. Multiple consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines and specialist appointments can quickly become expensive. In Iqbal’s case, the lack of a clear solution appears to have made the situation even more difficult. His unusual routine continued until the viral video brought his condition into the public eye.
Why Proper Diagnosis Is Important
At this stage, the exact medical reason behind Iqbal’s symptoms has not been established in the information available. That distinction is important. While reports describe his burning sensation and the unusual belief that a supernatural presence had taken over him, these observations should not be treated as a confirmed diagnosis.
Doctors at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital will need to conduct a proper medical assessment before determining what is causing his symptoms and what treatment could help him. The teenager’s case shows why unusual symptoms should be evaluated by qualified medical professionals. Trying to explain them through assumptions or unverified theories can delay appropriate care.
Mumbai Treatment Could Mark A New Beginning
Iqbal’s arrival in Mumbai marks a significant change in his circumstances. For years, his daily routine had reportedly revolved around spending long periods in ponds. Now, he is under the care of medical professionals who can investigate the problem in a specialised hospital environment.
Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital is a major multi-specialty healthcare institution in Mumbai. Reliance Foundation’s own information describes it as a quaternary-care hospital, while its healthcare programmes also focus on extending access to medical services. The immediate priority will be understanding the cause of Iqbal’s symptoms.
If doctors are able to identify the underlying condition and provide effective treatment, it could potentially change his everyday life dramatically. For his family, the move also offers an opportunity to seek answers after earlier attempts at treatment reportedly failed.
A Story That Started With A Viral Video
Iqbal’s case is another example of how social media can bring attention to situations that might otherwise remain confined to a local community. A simple video of a teenager sitting in a pond eventually reached a much wider audience. It prompted people to ask why he was spending so much time in the water and whether he needed medical help.
The attention ultimately helped connect the family with additional medical support. However, viral attention can only be the first step. A complex medical condition requires proper diagnosis, evidence-based treatment and long-term follow-up. That is now the responsibility of the medical team treating Iqbal.
Conclusion
Iqbal’s journey from a pond in Murshidabad to a specialised hospital in Mumbai has drawn widespread attention. The teenager had reportedly been spending much of his time in water because of an intense burning sensation whenever he came out. His condition became known after a video went viral, eventually prompting Anant Ambani to step in and arrange his transfer to Mumbai. Iqbal has now been admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital for specialised medical evaluation and treatment.
Doctors have also warned that prolonged immersion can damage the skin and increase the risk of fungal and bacterial infections. The focus now remains on finding the underlying cause of Iqbal’s symptoms. For the teenager and his family, the Mumbai treatment could be the beginning of a much-needed search for answers — and hopefully, a path towards a more normal life.
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