Bengal logs hat-trick of organ donations as brain dead youth gives new life to 4
Times of India | 2 July 2025
Kolkata: A 21-year-old man, Shantu Maji, died after sustaining head injuries in an accident on June 26. Despite the grief of losing a young life, Maji's family decided that his organs would give a fresh lease of life to those battling organ failure. The deceased's vital organs were transplanted into four patients at different hospitals across Kolkata on Sunday night. This was the third consecutive deceased organ donation in the city in the past three days. Those working in the organ donation movement see this hat-trick donation in Bengal for the first time as an impetus that would propel more such donations in the future.
Maji, who worked as a tailor, took a break from work at the hosiery factory in Howrah's Shyampukur to refuel his bike in the afternoon of June 26. He was riding back to his factory when he had to slam the brakes to save an old man who was crossing the road. His bike hit the median divider, and he suffered a severe head injury.
"He was taken to a local govt health facility but was referred to SSKM due to the severity of his injuries. He was trying to save an elderly pedestrian who was trying to cross the road and suddenly appeared in front of his two-wheeler. But I wish he had worn a helmet. That could have at least saved his life," said his brother-in-law Pintu Bhuinya.
Admitted to IPGMER's Trauma Care Centre (TCC), the family said the doctors left no stone unturned to save Maji. But when all attempts failed, the family was explained the concept of brain death and organ donation, and ROTTO (East) was informed. The youth's father, Biswajit, who works as a pandal decorator, took no time to give his consent, agreeing that the vital organs of his son could save a few lives. Even though Shantu dropped out of a local school in Gogulgoria in class VIII, he took up tailoring to support the family.
"The respect I had for my father-in-law increased after he decided to donate his son's organs without any hesitation. The doctors at SSKM tried really hard to save my brother-in-law. We did not have to pay anything for my brother-in-law's treatment," said Bhuinya.
"While every death is a huge loss for the family, it is a solace if such a death could promise life to others. Members of our locality have appreciated us for this decision. I hope more families come forward for this noble cause in the event of an unfortunate brain death of a family member," added Bhuinya.
"This hat-trick donation is quite an encouragement, and we hope the increased awareness gives rise to more such donations in the future," said officials at ROTTO (East).