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Mohali’s braveheart kindles hope in four others with organ, tissue donation at PGIMER

Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, Jyoti's family chose to honour her memory through organ donation.

organ donationJyoti's promising life was cut short on April 4, 2025, when the autorickshaw she was riding in was struck from behind by a motorcycle.

“Main kanyadaan nahi kar payi, par mai angdan zaroor karungi,” said Jyoti’s resolute mother Geeta. At just 21, Jyoti became a beacon of hope and kindness through her act of organ donation, which granted a second chance at life to two individuals and restored sight for two more here at PGI on Wednesday. “No words can convey our remorse. We have not only lost our daughter but also the heart of our family. Yet, we take solace in knowing that even in her passing, she has helped four people live on.”

Her mother, Geeta, talked about how Jyoti’s compassionate spirit was evident throughout her life, while Abhishek, Jyoti’s elder brother, spoke about her kindness. “Her smile could light up even the darkest of days. It seems fitting that her legacy continues through the lives she touched.”

Jyoti’s promising life was cut short on April 4, 2025, when the autorickshaw she was riding in was struck from behind by a motorcycle. The impact caused her to fall onto the road, leading to fatal head injuries. After being rushed through several hospitals, she was finally brought to PGI in a critical condition on April 6, where she succumbed to cardiac arrest on April 8.

Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, Jyoti’s family chose to honour her memory through organ donation. Although the traditional pathway for organ retrieval was not available due to her cardiac arrest, various medical teams led by doctors from various departments of the Institute moved forward with Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD). They successfully transplanted her kidneys into two patients suffering from terminal renal failure, ending their painful battles with dialysis, and her corneas provided sight to two others.

Underpinning the challenges in DCD, Prof Deepesh Kenwar, Department of Renal Transplant Surgery, PGI, said, “Every second counts when retrieving organs after cardiac death. This was the 19th such donation at PGI and has benefited 30 patients so far. PGI remains the only centre in the entire country where the pancreas has been used after such a kind of donation. While in most organ donations, doctors can maintain the circulation by use of medicines and ventilator support, but with cardiac arrest, it is no longer possible. Organs tend to deteriorate very fast after the heart stops and must be removed from the body within the next 60 minutes.”

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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