Odisha: 8-Year-Old Organ Donor Cremated With State Honours

In a touching ceremony, eight-year-old Subhajit Sahu was cremated with full state honours in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Monday. Subhajit tragically passed away after suffering a brain seizure, but his family made the selfless decision to donate his organs, giving the gift of life to others in need. Subhajit, a second-grade student, experienced a seizure while taking a school test. Despite immediate medical attention, he slipped into a coma and eventually succumbed to his illness last week. In the face of their immense grief, Subhajit's family chose to honour his spirit by donating his organs, including his kidneys, lungs, liver, eyes, heart, and pancreas.

8-Year-Old Organ Donor Cremated With State Honours

The state government, acknowledging the family's noble act, accorded Subhajit a state funeral. A guard of honour by the state police was presented at the Satya Nagar Crematorium, where Subhajit was cremated. The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Police Commissioner Sanjeev Panda and Deputy Commissioner of Police Prateek Singh.

Previously, a 14-year-old organ donor at Puri, Damayanti Mahanta, received similar state honours after her death due to chronic kidney disease and was declared brain dead as she suffered a brain stroke. Her parents alike consented to organ donation and her kidneys were retrieved by surgeons at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and were transported to Delhi through a green corridor. 

Subhajit's Family Expresses Pride

Subhajit's parents expressed their pride in their son's final act of selflessness. "I am proud of my son," said his father. "He may be gone, but he saved the lives of many." Subhajit's mother echoed this sentiment, stating, "Though he was just eight years old, he has done a noble work that even an 80-year-old may not do."

Subhajit's father who also works in the healthcare sector said that he realised the scarcity of human organs and shared spectating people dying and waiting for donors, which prompted their decision to donate his organs. 

Subhajit's mother expressed finding her solace as she said they can finally console themselves that their son saved the lives of many others and will live in them. 

Odisha State Government's Initiative For Organ Donation

This event comes after the Odisha government's recent announcement to perform the last rites of organ donors with state honours. This initiative was announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last month, which aims to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage more people to consider this life-saving act.

Additionally, the Chief Minister also announced its policy that the government will provide a reward of Rs 5 lakh to the closest kin of the organ donor through the CM relief fund.

Odisha state government also recognises honour of organ donations with the Suraj Award established in 2020, in honour of an organ donor from the Ganjam district of the state who saved six lives.