RAMANUJAM- THE ORGAN DONOR

RAMANUJAM- THE ORGAN DONOR



(On the recommendation of my relative I employed Ramanujam in my shop. He stopped
with school final. A very fair looking boy he worked sincerely for a year. One day he
came to me to request me to relieve him since he got employment elsewhere. I completely forgot this man. After 15 years he came to me to spare some amount. I was shocked to see him- very thin, graying. He told me that he has donated his kidney for want of money and that he was broken)

Ramanujam is the 6Th child to his parents. Education does not attract him. He tried his hands in various fields for some years but could not find satisfaction. His marriage brought ruin. While his other brothers are well off this man on account of indecision and wavering type went down. He donated blood several times to earn some money. Unable to cope with burden of family he started to get money through appeal.

He registered for donation of organs. One day he got a call from the hospital to rush in. A family was returning from pilgrimage tour by car. Near Hosur was hit by a lorry and all people travelling in the car got severe head injuries. The family belonged to well known liquor merchant of Bangalore. Ramanujam met the Father of the boy who was seriously injured – this boy needed urgently a kidney to survive.

His father was crying. He recalled that his son wanted to become a famous cricketer like Gavaskar and later wanted to work in Space station like ISRO. When he saw him in a pool of blood he was dazed- added to his woes the kidney failure. Holding Ramanujam’s hands he cried to save him. Ramanujam saw the boy. His eyes were wide open, seemed to be alert with some movement. Ramanujam thought about his family. While coming out from the house his youngest son wanted new uniform, his daughter wanted to join in dance class and he has pledged all the jewels of his wife. Sensing that her husband is going to do something His Wife cried not to take any hasty decision.

On one side he needs money to fulfill the desires of his family and on the other side the cries of the boy’s father to save his son. All along he was leading a wretched life without use to any one. The biggest blunder he made was not studying – not even trades course to develop his skill. Ramanujam thought that this was the best opportunity to do a useful service and agreed to donate one kidney.

It was a momentous decision. You should have courage and conviction to sacrifice since the society in which he is living is not so advanced to appreciate such acts of bravery. Even his wife would not permit him.As he lay after the operation on the table - pale but with some satisfaction on his face. The parents of the boy whom Ramanujam donated his organ stood silently tears rolled - here is a man who has saved their son from sure death- what they are going to do in repaying – no amount of money can buy such act of bravery and sacrifice.

After recouping Ramanujam tried to do some odd jobs but people who heard his story
instead of sympathizing with him started looking him down. He was not successful in his attempts and after some time he was back to the old stage. His health also started deteriorating. The parents of the boy whom he donated his kidney turned him back when he approached them for help. They said that the chapter is closed after onetime payment.

I felt pity on this man. A man very fair, sincere and honest unable to thrive in this world because of lack of education. Society also forgot this man’s sacrifice and spurned him away as if he is untouchable. We must learn lesson from western world in the matter of appreciating and helping persons doing supreme sacrifices to save people on the verge of death. They are our assets. Add love to such men- you produce hundreds of such brave men. Add justice to such men- they will be ever grateful to you. Put them altogether you have a new society transformed into New Hope and vision. We need hundred such Ramanujams for saving many people. We need a Society to help such Ramanujams to be rehabilitated.

Analysis:

Organ donation is a good and noble act and should be voluntary. It should not bait poor people by showing money power. Ramanujam lost many jobs because firstly due to neglecting education when his family was in a position to provide- Secondly his switching jobs frequently. His sacrifice was overshadowed by all these qualities but Society should not forget the spirit behind such sacrifices.


· Education is vitally important when you can afford.
· Organ donation is a noble act to save somebody.
· Society should help the donor to live honorably.

R.Jagannathan.