Monday 27 July 2015

That heart started beating again – “ Aa Hridayam Veendum Thudichu “




This was how a real life, emotional,  humanitarian story was reported in the “ Mathrubhumi “ newspaper of 26th July 2015. It narrates the successful transplantation of heart from a brain dead person of Tiruvananthapuram to a heart patient waiting for a lease of life at Kochi.

Advocate Sri.Neelakanta Sarma (46),  had a fall in  his  bathroom on the 6th of July 2015 and was undergoing treatment at Sri Chitra Thirunal Hospital at Tiruvananthapuram. Not responding to treatment the doctors’ declared him brain dead. His family members’ got over the catastrophic tragedy, mustered courage and rose to Himalayan heights by agreeing to donate his vital organs to ailing patients at various places in Kerala. It is reported that Sri.Neelakanta Sarma’s organs went on to give an extension of life to five people, who were waging a battle with destiny and time.

In a swift operation Sri. Neelakanta Sarma’s heart was flown from Tiruvananthapuram to Kochi where it was successfully transplanted to Sri.Mathew Antony (47), an autorickshaw driver of Chalakudi. The surgery was done at Lissy Hospital, Kochi, by a team of doctors’ headed by Dr.Jose Chacko Periappuram. Transcending financial, distance and other constraints the operation done on 25th July 2015 went well,  as Sri.Neelakanta Sarma’s heart started functioning in Mathew Antony’s anatomy, without any hitch. Every beat of it should remind Mathew Antony and his family members’ of the supreme sacrifice, generosity, and maturity exhibited by Sri.Neelakanta Sarma’s family members’. While expressing her gratitude and thanks,  Bindu, wife of Mathew Antony stated thus – “ After God, we extend our thanks to Dr.Jose Chacko Periappuram and the family members’ of Sri.Neelakanta Sarma. They have not given a heart, but a life to us in totality. Even after our lifetime, we are indebted to them.

Another notable feature is that the Eram Group of companies, headed by its Chairman and Managing Director Dr.Siddique Ahmed, donated Rs.6 lakhs towards the hospital surgery expenses. Their timely service deserves a commendable pat, and God willing they  should pursue such noble causes and service to humanity for a long time to come. Accolades to their team.

Instances of organ donation are reported time and again across major cities of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, with the former state emerging as a forerunner in this commendable act. May this humanitarian story continue to save many more lives in future.  Films have also been shot on this subject matter and received well.

What is the crux of the event? The heart of an orthodox Hindu Brahmin was fitted to a God fearing Christian, with the financial assistance extended by a Corporate Group headed by a Muslim. Can there be a better picture perfect tell tale success story of compassion, affection and care? Humaneness and humanity won with top laurels, and mere words would not be sufficient to praise the family members of the departed Advocate, who is sure to find a deserving place in heaven, in the safe embrace of the Almighty.






Rest in peace Neelakanta Sarmaji. Hearty Salutations to your soul and appreciation to your family members’. You will continue to live not only in Mathew’s heart but also in peoples’ heart forever.

Have a peaceful, healthy life Mathew Antony and four others who live through the revered departed soul.

It would be befitting for the Kerala Government to institute a social service award in Sri.Neelakanta Sarma’s memory, as a rightful mark of respect.

Sarve Janaha Sukhino Bhavantu.




                               

1 comment:

  1. This is what humanity is all about and the essence that sustains the world in its sanity and responsibility. God created us but we try to establish e that it is we who have created the God and that He should behave to our whims and fancies.

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