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Grieving Daughter Reunited with Father's Memory Through Organ Donation Ceremony
2 Aug
Summary
- 2-year-old Ananya recognizes late father Raju in photo at AIIMS donor ceremony
- Families of organ donors share stories of loss and the decision to save others
- Organ donation provides "new life" to recipients, honors donors' memories

On August 3rd, 2025, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi held a ceremony to pay tribute to organ and tissue donors. Among the attendees was Aarti, a resident of Mainpuri, whose 2-year-old daughter Ananya had a poignant moment during the event.
As Ananya saw a photograph of her late father Raju being honored posthumously, she whispered "Papa... Papa," recognizing him even though he had passed away earlier this year. Raju had suffered a fatal fall from the terrace of their home in February, and after over a week in the ICU, he was declared brain dead. Aarti and her family made the difficult decision to donate his organs, including his liver, kidneys, and heart.
Aarti's story was not unique. The ceremony also recognized other donor families, such as that of Ashok Kumar Wadhwa, whose son Samarth donated his eyes and skin after Ashok's sudden cardiac arrest. Kalita Devi, whose husband Puran Chand suffered a fatal head injury, also shared how they chose to donate his organs, including his lungs and kidneys.
These selfless acts of generosity during unimaginable grief have given new life to many recipients. As AIIMS Director Professor M. Srinivas noted, organ donation is vital to address the shortage and "dispel myths" around the practice. The ceremony stood as a testament to human compassion, honoring the donors whose legacies live on through the lives they saved.