Exactly two years ago on Friday Ian Stillman's dramatic life took another turn into hostile and traumatic territory.

But whereas in the past he had always managed to twist adversity to his advantage, this time it would take more than his legendary strength of character to conquer the situation.

In stoical mood in Kanda jail, Shimla

Stillman, a British citizen, had been arrested and was later accused of carrying 20 kilos of cannabis. He has always maintained his innocence.

The arrest took place on the evening of 30 August 2000, while the deaf charity worker was travelling in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

The Kullu Valley where he was at the time is notorious for cannabis smuggling. Stillman claimed he had been visiting the area for his charitable work.

Throughout his life, Ian Stillman has been no stranger to adversity.

Ian Stillman

Aid worker in India for 27 years Charged Aug 00 after police said they found 20kg of cannabis in taxi he was riding in No deaf interpreter or Hindi translator at his trial Appeal in Jan 02 rejected, judge said he was 'not deaf'

He became profoundly deaf at the age of two after being given quinine as a treatment for malaria.

In 1972 Stillman travelled to India where he met his future wife, Sue. Together they set up a registered charity in the south of the country to train deaf people for work.

In 1995, Stillman's right leg was amputated above the knee after he was involved in a motorcycle accident. He also suffers from diabetes.

'Terrible misunderstanding'

Stillman has lived in India for 30 years, giving his life to the country's deaf population.

Stillman, in Shimla, is thousands of miles from his home in Chennai

His parents, like many who know Stillman, believed there had been a mix-up when they first heard the news of his arrest.

"We thought there had been a terrible misunderstanding and it would be cleared up straight away," says his father, Roy Stillman, who lives near York, in England.

But Ian Stillman has spent every day since then under lock and key.

Pardon plea

Since he was convicted in June last year, his family has worked tirelessly to clear his name, claiming he is innocent of the charges and that his trial was unjust.

Stillman's grown-up son, Lennie, has moved from London to Shimla, where Stillman is currently being held.

Stillman's family has raised 75,000 signatures

In the UK, family members raised a petition with 75,000 signatures from supporters around the world. On Friday they will travel to London to present the first "instalment" of the petition to the Indian High Commission.

Meanwhile, in India, Stillman has submitted an application for a pardon from the president's office.

But a more pressing matter is his health, says his brother-in-law Brendan Bowles, who explains that Stillman's diabetes, combined with a cold climate and lack of mobility could result in ulcers.

Transfer denied

"His mobility is obviously limited because he only has one leg and his artificial limb doesn't work well," says Mr Bowles.

"He is in the north of the country and it is already starting to get cold as winter approaches. He had applied to be transferred to a jail in the south of the country, but this was declined."

Roy Stillman embraces his son in prison

His "greatest discomfort" is the phantom limb pains he suffers from his amputated leg.

"It occurs when the damaged nerves branch out. Ian has described the pains as a cross between and electric shock and an epileptic fit. When they come they are totally overwhelming," says Mr Bowles.

The family is pinning their hopes on a pardon. But a more realistic option perhaps is clemency - the family has heard positive noises from the Indian government about that.

"A pardon would say that is the end of the matter and, hopefully, Ian would be allowed to stay in India - after all, that's where his life is. Clemency would imply deportation."

Toll on family

Mr Bowles stresses that the campaign is not a slight on the Indian justice system as a whole.

"There are miscarriages of justice all over the world, in Britain as well as India. This is not in any sense an anti-India campaign.

Sue Stillman: Continues the couple's charity work

"It seems that things have gone too far; the police involved cannot back down or they would lose face."

The campaign has inevitably taken a toll on the family. Stillman is imprisoned hundreds of miles from his home, where his wife and daughter live. And Lennie has put his life on hold for the past two years, having quit his career to be close to his father.

Stillman's family in the UK has also worked hard to raise the profile of the case.

"Even after a month it seemed a long time," says Mr Bowles, thinking back to late summer 2000.

"It's been all-embracing for the family. It's been dreadfully frustrating at times. But now, at last, I feel we are getting somewhere."