I don't think of myself as brave or strong

Parth Joshi

However, his leg was badly mangled, and could not be saved.

Parth was flown to the UK to have a prosthetic limb fitted after the charity Rapid UK raised �15,000 to pay for the treatment.

Since the operation he has been staying with a host family in Tuffley, Gloucestershire.

On Wednesday, and still on crutches, he spoke about how he was facing up to the future with a prosthetic limb.

He said: "It's great. I like the new leg and it is very easy to use. I used to like playing a lot of cricket and football and swim.

"Obviously I can't play football anymore but I can still play cricket and I can swim without the limb.

"I don't think of myself as brave or strong."

Father

Parth has made a good recovery

Parth's father Pradip accompanied his son on the trip from India.

He said: "Parth was unconscious when he was pulled out of the rubble.

"He spent two-and-a-half months in hospital in Bombay.

"While he was in there I told him his brother and mother had been injured as I didn't know whether the shock would cause him more harm.

"After they discharged him from hospital I explained to him about his mother and brother because he was coping better then.

Looking after Parth is what is getting me through this

Pradip Joshi

"It helped mentally prepare him for what is to come. He is starting to understand more about his condition and is preparing himself for what is ahead.

"He asks me whether he will be able to play again and what he will be able to do. I told him to think of himself as a normal child and told him he can do everything a normal child can."

New home

Mr Joshi, a bank clerk, now faces the task of returning to Bhuj to build a new home.

He said the tragedy had robbed him of the will to live.

But he added: "Looking after Parth is what is getting me through this.

"First there was his medical treatment and now he is walking again so there is a lot to focus on.

"It was a miracle he survived and I have not got the words to express how grateful I am to Rapid UK for what they have done for my family."