He became the inaugural recipient of this state recognition after Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on 23 September that organ donors would be given funerals with state honours.
Published Sep 26, 2023 | 8:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 26, 2023 | 8:00 PM
In a compassionate gesture, his family granted permission to the medical department for organ donation. (Subramanian_ma/Twitter)
A 43-year-old man who was declared brain-dead and had his organs harvested for donation was posthumously accorded state honours in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, 26 September.
He became the inaugural recipient of this recognition since Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on 23 September that organ donors would be given funerals with state honours.
However, the official announcement regarding the state honour has not yet been published.
Thus, instead of a gun salute by the police, the state’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian, along with the district superintendent of police (SP) and the district revenue officer (DRO), paid their respects with floral tributes.
The deceased, T Vadivel, was a senior revenue inspector employed at the Theni collectorate. On the evening of 23 September, he was on his way home in Chinnamanur on his motorcycle.
While passing near the Sapaniyamman Temple in the village of Seelaiyampatti, his motorcycle collided with a cow at approximately 6.30 pm, causing him to fall and sustain severe head injuries.
He was transported to the Government Hospital in Chinnamanur and subsequently to the Government Medical College Hospital in Theni for more advanced medical care.
He was then taken to the Apollo Hospital in Madurai, where medical professionals declared him brain dead on 24 September.
In a compassionate gesture, his family granted permission to the medical department for organ donation. As a result, his kidneys, liver, skin, and eyes were harvested for transplantation, offering a chance at life to patients at both the Apollo Hospital and the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian, in conversation with reporters, confirmed this and praised the family.
He also said that since 2008, following the directive of the then chief minister M Karunanidhi, 23 September had been observed as Organ Donation Day in Tamil Nadu.
“In line with Chief Minister Stalin’s recent announcement, individuals who have contributed to organ donation after September 23 of this year will be recognised and honoured by the state. Officials holding positions such as district collector or District Revenue Officer (DRO) will extend state tributes at their funerals as a mark of respect,” said Ma Subramanian.
உடல் உறுப்பு கொடையாளர்களுக்கு தமிழக அரசின் சார்பில் மரியாதை செலுத்தப்படும் எனும் மாண்புமிகு தமிழக முதல்வர் அவர்களின் அறிவிப்பிற்கிணங்க தேனி-சின்னமனூரை சார்ந்த வடிவேல் அவர்களின் திருவுடலுக்கு மாவட்ட ஆட்சி நிர்வாகத்துடன் இணைந்து அரசின் சார்பில் மரியாதை செலுத்தப்பட்டது .. @mkstalin… pic.twitter.com/92ofVnr68F
— Subramanian.Ma (@Subramanian_ma) September 26, 2023
On 23 September this year, the Tamil Nadu government announced that the organ donors would be laid to rest with state honours.
“Through the mechanism of organ donation, Tamil Nadu continues to illuminate the nation, offering a lifeline to hundreds of patients grappling with various illnesses,” Chief Minister MK Stalin said while announcing the decision on X (formerly Twitter).
“By gifting their organs, paying homage to the spirit of sacrifice, and celebrating the act of protecting lives, these donors have reshaped the government’s approach to the final stages of the organ donation process. The last rites of those who selflessly provide organs for others will now be conducted with enhanced government respect and honour,” he added.
உடல் உறுப்பு தானத்தின் மூலம் நூற்றுக்கணக்கான நோயாளிகளுக்கு வாழ்வளிக்கும் அரும்பணியில் நாட்டின் முன்னணி மாநிலமாகத் தமிழ்நாடு தொடர்ந்து விளங்கி வருகின்றது.
குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்கள் மூளைச்சாவு நிலையை அடைந்த துயரச் சூழலிலும், அவர்களின் உடல் உறுப்புகளைத் தானமாக அளித்திட முன்வரும்…
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 23, 2023
