Rohit Shishodia
The atmosphere at Jawahar Lal Nehru auditorium at Delhi-AIIMS was filled with emotions when recipients of different organs which saved their lives cried and thanked organ donors and families of cadaver donors sitting across them.

However, the organ recipients did not know the organ donors, as the procedure of organ donation is kept confidential, but they thanked them with tears in their eyes and with folded hands.

The moment brought tears to the eyes of doctors and other medicos who were sitting in the packed auditorium where the program was presided over by Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in the presence of AIIMS-Director Randeep Guleria and Organ Retrieval Banking Organization-In-Charge Prof Aarti Vij, Sport Minister Kiren Rjiju, Boxer and Rajya Sabha MP MC Mary Com and noted playback singer Mohit Chouhan.

Kins of organ donees made a strong appeal that people should come forward and donate their organs to save lives and bring happiness  to lives.

Singer Mohit Chouhan and Boxer MC Mary Com said that soon they will announce their organ donation pledge.

‌Mr Birender Singh, whose younger brother Gurvinder Singh’s kidney, liver and heart were donated at AIIMS, told DTMT it was a difficult time for them to do it but after counseling by AIIMS doctors, the family consented for donation. Gurvinder had a sudden death followed by dizziness due to which he collapsed at home.

“We don’t know who got the organs of my brother as it is kept confidential. He left two daughters behind him but if needed, though we don’t wish, their treatment should be given priority in AIIMS. My brother had already pledged his eyes for donation before his death.  

Harpreet Kaur, wife of Gurvinder Singh, said that her husband was ready to go to office. He suddenly felt dizziness and he collapsed. He was first taken to a nearby hospital and then to Rockland hospital. He did not get any improvement there and he was then taken to AIIMS where he succumbed to death and he was declared brain dead.

“We lost our man but wanted to save a father and a son of anyone because my first daughter was 2-years-old and second daughter was 10-months-old. I can understand the pain” she added.

Rajni, whose 49-year-old husband died in an accident in Okhla, Delhi, told DTMT “I was informed that my husband was brain dead after following two surgeries. I was not aware of brain dead word but consented to donate his organs after counseling. It was very difficult but the smiles on faces make us feel proud. His kidney liver, heart and cornea were donated.”