Little Abhilasha lives on

Abhilasha... She fought for her life for 16 months.. Could not survive... But gave life to 4 patients...

Abhilasha, 16 months and two weeks old, has become India’s youngest cadaver (The dead body of a human being) organ donor after her parents decided to donate her kidney and eyes. The child died in February and her eyes and kidneys have been transplanted.

Abhilasha was diagnosed with biliary artesia and was in need of a liver transplant. But that could not be performed because of her underlying neurological condition.

Abhilasha’s mother Vineeta said: “We decided to donate Abhilasha’s organs because we felt and understood the need and importance of an organ which Abhilasha could never receive. Today I feel proud that my daughter’s contribution has given a new life to others. Through this service we have kept our daughter’s soul alive forever.”

There is an acute shortage of donors. Ever since the Human Organ Transplant Act was passed in 1994 in the country, making it possible to receive transplants from brain dead donors, there has been little progress in the country's cadaver programme. Despite improved technology like ventilators and emergency measures to preserve crucial body organs since 2004, there have been just 1,000 cadaver donations in India. While in the US in just last year, there have been 22,000 cadaver donations.

Lets pay tribute to parents for taking a courageous decision. Abhilasha is unique. Her case shows how awareness can help transform lives. She has shown the way...

We are not going to take anything when we die. We can at least give life to someone who is desperate. I know pledging organs is still a taboo in India but Abhilasha's parents have shown the way.

How to pledge organs.. Go to a near by reputed hospital. Fill in a form. You can pledge your organs. You can inform any of your relatives or friends about this. Hospital needs to be informed after death. They will do the rest. I have decided to pledge my organs. You too consider and lets spread awareness on this.

Hong Kong Diary part one

Hong Kong was my first trip abroad and was a memorable one..

Left Bangalore by Jet Airways on 16th MArch. Flight was scheduled at 2030 but got delayed and left at 2140. Reached Mumbai at 2330. Connecting flight to Hong Kong was at 0030 hrs. It got delayed at the immigration counter as an Mumbai immigration official refused to accord priority when a Jet oficial requested him to do so as i had a flight at 0030 hrs. He deliberately made me wait for ten minutes and when an VIP arrived with hs wife he was straight away entertained and got clearance.... Indeed it is India and we are a democratic country... Anyways i made it to the flight at 0035 hrs and was the last person to board the flight.

The view of Mumbai from the flight was stunning. The lights on the streets and buildings added color to the night. No wonder its called a dream city.

The journey was pleasurable and the food served during the journey was good. It had an inflight entertainment program with screens embedded into seats and there were lots of movies (hollywood, bollywood, regional ) to choose and i watched Das Vidhaniya.. It was really good and the trust of the movie was to enjoy life the way you want to and i am completely in sync with the theme... Reached Hong Kong at 830 AM local time. Hong Kong is two and a half hours ahead in time from IST.

Hong Kong International Airport is amazing. Its so huge. I thought Bangalore was prety big but Hong Kong its huge.. Hong Kong airport has been voted as the best managed airport in the world in a survey and i could see the reason. The immigration clearance was smooth. The guy asked a few questions about where i am working and why i have come. Stamped the free 14 day Visa on my passport and i was done with the process.It took 2 minutes.

Had already booked the hotel near the conference venue and took the bus to hotel and reached at around 11 AM...

Return journey from Hong Kong to Mumbai was good and on time.This time watched Dostana. It was an average kind of stuff. Reached Mumbai at 2300 hrs on 20th March and was supposed to board flight at 0315 hrs to Bangalore. But to my surprise they told me that the flight is cancelled and i need to catch the next flight at 0640 hrs. So had to wait from 0000 hrs to 0600 hrs at Mumbai Chatrapathi Shivaji Airport.

Tips for those who travel by air:

Carry only the necessary items in your carry bag. This should include passport and air tickets. If you are carrying a laptop keep it with you. Baggage can carry a maximum weight of 19 kg and ask for a direct check in to destination if you are making a transit at some place. You can then colect the baggage at the destination. During security check in they will ask you to keep all electronic gadets separately and then do the screening. The security screening takes time but its worth the pain as they all do it for our safety. So have patience... :-)

Its 21 st March, 0500 hrs now and i am scribbling this blog from Mumbai airport. But the problem is i cannot post it as the WiFi connection is not working here in Mumbai airport where as at Hong Kong it did. Will go home and post this blog. Will be leaving for Udupi tonight from Bangalore.

Do not conclude that i have started criticising India after my trip to Hong Kong. There is nothing wrong in being appreciative about the system in a different country as long it is good. That becomes the benchmark for us to achieve.

I will talk about the conference and the places i visited in HOng Kong in my next blog.