In this family of doctors, three pledge organs

“Baad vich agg vich hi milna hai, kise de kamm taan aiye,” (We will be doused in flames, let us be put to use first), says 54-year-old Dr Jaswinder Pal Singh.

A man’s spirit of generosity — to put his eyes to good use after his demise — has ignited a spark in a Kapurthala-based family. Three members of this family of doctors, have pledged to donate their organs. The donors include a feisty 82-year-old woman and her doctor daughter and son-in-law.

While 82-year-old Balwinder Kaur has pledged her body for medical use, upon her death, her son-in-law Dr Jaswinder Singh and daughter Dr Simranjit Kaur have pledged their eyes. Their inspiration is a relative who was a doctor and passed away recently. He had pledged his eyes.

Homeopathic doctors — the couple Dr Jaswinder Pal Singh and his wife Dr Simranjit Kaur have been practicing in Kapurthala for the past 25 years, where they run a clinic.

Dr Jaswinder says, “When you die, you turn to ash. So why not ensure that someone is helped with what remains of your body? If our eyes, kidneys or livers could give someone’s life — it’s the least we can do.”

The 82-year-old Balwinder Kaur is a step further. She says, “Jo marzi lai lao, bas sharir kise kamm aave.” (Simply take whatever you want from my body. Just make use of it).

While religious beliefs make organ or body donation a tricky decision for some, Dr Jaswinder believes, “All religions are the path to truth — and all call for helping others. This is simply one way of doing that.”

While the doctor couple had always planned to donate their organs, the recent death of Jaswinder’s brother-in-law had a major role to play. He died two years ago, aged 52, having pledged his eyes.

Dr Jaswinder Pal Singh says, “My brother-in-law Dr Kulwinder Singh was always dedicated to serving people. We always had plans to donate his body. But his decision served as an additional inspiration to us.”

While in their years of practice, the couple have helped countless patients, including many who were aided financially; the decision to donate organs isn’t viewed as an act of charity.

In a very matter-of-fact manner, Dr Jaswinder added, “I can’t say I’m especially proud of the decision. It’s just one of the myriad lifestyle choices we routinely make. It involves no give and take, no transactions.”

The couple has two sons — the elder one studies in the US, and the other is a student at a local school. When asked if they would tread the same path, the doctor said, “They may be inspired. But the decision is totally up to them.”

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