25 August 2010
Lucknow, India
It was a sad moment for Mishras when their 11–month–old baby boy died due to illness some time back. In this difficult time, the couple decided to donate eyes of the baby, to immortalise his memory.
Today, because of the baby, two lives have been enlightened. Mishras not only have set an example for others to follow, their baby became the youngest eye donor in the state and perhaps in the country. Earlier, Rajat Sethi, a 15–year–old boy, son of Rakesh Sethi, whose eyes were donated in 1999, was the youngest donor. The couple do not want to disclose their identity because of personal reasons.
Though eye donation is not popular in the state, there are a handful of individuals in the city working passionately for the cause. Atul Kapoor, an employee with Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), has been instrumental in donating eyes of three members of his family. Mukesh Jain has also motivated his family and donated eyes of two family members, including his mother. If people like Shahana and Latif are able to see today, it is because of people like Radha and Shakuntla, who donated their eyes. The credit also goes to the family members of the donors.