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In April 2007, octogenarian Jagir Singh’s donated his body to medical students. Family members say this set them thinking and they all decided to follow suit.
Jagir’s body was handed over to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. His eyes were donated for transplantation. Later, Jagir’s son, Jaspal Singh, decided to donate his body, so did Jaspal’s wife.
“We know this is not something that people easily identify with but we have made a beginning. We all were touched by my father’s decision. He donated his body around five months before his death,” says Jaspal.
“We never thought of this way but my father-in-law’s act made us ponder over it seriously. And then we realised that it is something that people should not be afraid of. Since nothing remains of this body after the death, so why not offer it for medical research so that some organs, if possible, could be transplanted to others,” says Jaspal’s wife, Kulvinder.
Their 20-year-old daughter, Navdeep Kaur, says, “Our family does not believe in superstitions attached with donating organs or bodies. My brother and I have also decided to do something for humanity even after we are gone”.
Jaspal’s elder sister, Surinder Kaur, says her husband was quite instrumental in affecting the family’s decision. “It is my husband’s perspective that changed ours. He thinks that donating a body is a service to people and humanity. In a way. he also influenced my father’s decision,” she says. Her three children have also pledged to donate their bodies.
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