Building collapse victims' eyes give sight to four persons

VADODARA: Despite the despair and shock of the death of his brother and nephew in the twin building collapse here, a city resident has donated their eyes which will now enable four people to see the world.

A team of doctors at a government run hospital here yesterday transplanted the cornea of - Mahadev Raju Nayar (42) and his son Vignesh Mahadev Nayar (14) - in four visually challenged persons, said Dr Vijay Shah, a medical practitioner and former chairman of the standing committee of Vadodara Municipal Corporation(VMC).

Eleven people, including Mahadev and his son, were killed in the building collapse accident yesterday at Madhavnagar locality in Atladara area here.

Deceased Mahadev's elder sibling Mohan Nayar said, "It was the wish of my brother and his son to donate their eyes after their death. Though I have lost my dear ones in this tragic mishap, I feel satisfied in carrying out their wishes and restoring eyesights of four others who will be able to see the world and thus keep memories of the deceased alive."

"The corneas of both the father and son were quite healthy and suitable for transplantation," Shah said.

Praising the gesture of the Nayars, Shah said, "Nayar family has set a precedent that should be emulated by all. Motivating the relatives of terminally-ill patients, and even accident victims, has emerged as the biggest challenge for health authorities."

Meanwhile, in another humble gesture, a 'dahi-handi' programme to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami was called off in the city's Gotri locality.

An amount of Rs one lakh, saved after the cancellation of the programme, is being donated to a 14-year-old girl who sustained injuries while her parents died in yesterday's building collapse accident, sources said.