In the face of mortality, heroes emerge—those who choose to give even after their passing.
Outside the residence, a hearse van awaited its somber duty, while within the courtyard rested the lifeless body of a beloved husband. Both awaited the fulfillment of a long-standing commitment made years ago. Meanwhile, the voices of impassioned children rose in protest against their mother: “We won’t allow any mishandling of our father’s body. This is not the way. We shall perform the final rites ourselves.” In a moment that broke the silence, the wife, driven by an unwavering determination, uttered a single sentence: “My husband pledged his body for organ donation, and I shall not allow any interference in this matter.” Dr. Vishal Chaddha, the joint secretary of the Dadhichi Dehdaan Samiti, who had come to perform this solemn duty, recounts how, in this emotional moment, a wife stood her ground against her own children to honor the promise she and her husband had made. This sentiment transcends the physical and delves deep into the spiritual, forming a poignant chapter in the legacy of the Dadhichi family.
This remarkable story belongs to Shri Sampurn Jeet Kaur and her late husband, Dr. Sahab. The decision to donate one’s body is a unique journey—a journey that continues even beyond death. Those who inspire others to take this pledge become part of this extraordinary journey. To give this noble endeavor an organized structure, the Dadhichi Dehdaan/Angadaan Samiti was established on October 11, 1997, drawing inspiration from Maharishi Dadhichi. The very first pledge for body donation was made by the revered pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the late Nanaji Deshmukh himself. The committee operates across approximately nine districts, including Delhi NCR and Bulandshaher. The tireless efforts of nearly 300 volunteers have borne fruit—over the past 13 years, even after the passing of nearly 1300 individuals, they live on in others through the organs they donated. Among these selfless donors, 375 individuals pledged their entire bodies, while more than 925 contributed their eyes. Over 18,000 pledge forms have been filled by committee volunteers. Taking inspiration from the work of the Dadhichi Dehdaan Samiti, 46 independent committees are now working in this field across the country, guided by Shri Alokji, the founder, leader, and executive head of the Dadhichi Dehdaan Samiti, and the Vishva Hindu Parishad.
But where did the idea of ‘Dehdaan’ originate? Alokji recalls that the inspiration came when he encountered the skeleton of Professor Dr. Hukam Singh Virk, the former Head of Anatomy at the Government Medical College in Amritsar. Dr. Virk, who had spent a lifetime teaching on cadavers, had donated his own body, stating, “I have educated my students on other people’s bodies throughout my life, and I want my college students to continue their studies using my body after my demise.” In various medical fields—Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, and Allopathic—where normally four to five students should study on one body, the scarcity of bodies means that forty to fifty students often study on a single cadaver. Inspired by this, Alokji began contemplating the concept of body ‘Dehdaan,’ and in 1995, he and seven friends registered their wills for body donation. In 1997, the Dadhichi Dehdan Samiti was born.
The upadhyakshaa of the committee, Shrimati Manju Prabhaji, explains that the early days were fraught with challenges. There were times when transportation, drivers, or counseling for family members was required to make them understand the importance of body donation. Sometimes, colleges lacked the facilities to receive donated bodies. However, after relentless efforts spanning three to four years, the situation has transformed. Now, arrangements for body donation are in place around the clock at any government medical college in Delhi. Pledging to donate one’s body awakens a spiritual consciousness, reminding us that we are not merely bodies but souls. It inspires us to maintain the health, strength, and vigor of our bodies, for only a healthy body can serve the greater good. What could be more fulfilling for someone in their final moments than knowing that even their lifeless body will offer new hope, light, and life to someone in need? Talking about these concepts is one thing, but executing this task systematically is quite another.
However, in the face of these challenges, a Swayamsevak family in Noida, upon learning that their seven-day-old newborn could not be saved despite doctors’ best efforts, decided to imbue the baby’s short life with purpose, making him the youngest donor recognized by the Dadhichi Dehdaan Samiti.
The committee’s chairman, Harsh Deep Malhotraji, recalls an event that took place on November 10, 2017, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President, His Excellency Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, invited Mr. Suraj Gupta, the father of the newborn donor, as the chief guest. President Kovind congratulated all the families who had fulfilled their pledges for body donation, expressing his appreciation for their selfless contributions.
Throughout the year, the Dadhichi family hosts various programs to honor all members who have pledged their bodies, expressing gratitude to the families whose pledges have been realized. These events also provide a platform for those who have received a new lease on life through organ donation to share their experiences, inspiring others to follow suit. Kiran Chopraji, the director of Punjab Kesari, was moved by the account of Mrs. Preeti Unhale, who had been leading a normal life after a heart transplant. This led her to fill out a pledge form for organ donation during one of the programs.
It’s important to note that not all donations need to occur after death. There are simpler acts of donation, such as blood donation and hair donation, that we can readily undertake. Witnessing the tradition of body donation in families inspires the younger generation to follow suit. School students Meera, Shreya, and Angel have made hair donations for women undergoing chemotherapy, spreading the ideals of service and sacrifice among the youth.
The chairman of the committee, Harsh Deepji, emphasizes that all a willing family needs to do to donate is make a call to the Samiti. From that point onwards, around 300 volunteers selflessly handle all arrangements and coordination until the commitment is fulfilled. This sense of shared responsibility and dedication is what forges a bond between donors and recipients, turning them into members of the Dadhichi family. Their commitment to body donation and organ donation not only benefits society but also serves as a beacon of inspiration. The committee is actively working to raise awareness about body donation in society, drawing upon the inspiring story of Maharishi Dadhichi and the Naimisharanya pilgrimage.
