Live through others after death by donating eyes, skin and body, says Ramannavar

Secretary Dr. Ramannavar Charitable Trust Mahantesh B. Ramannavar addressed a body donation event in Dharwad on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Secretary Dr. Ramannavar Charitable Trust, Bailhongal, Mahantesh B. Ramannavar said every person above the age of 18 had the opportunity to commit to eye, body and skin donation and live through others even after their death.

Dr. Addressing a body donation event of former Syndicate Bank manager Parappa V Hugar in Dharwad on Friday, Ramannavar said that while eye donation helped provide sight to two persons, skin donation facilitated early recovery of patients suffering from severe burns due to industrial accidents and acid attacks. He said the concept of body donation was not new but still many were hesitant to donate their bodies after death due to various misconceptions and also due to some religious beliefs.

“For a medical student, a cadaver is the first teacher. But across the country, medical facilities are facing shortage of cadavers to teach their students. According to MCI guidelines, for every batch of 25 medical students, there should be a cadaver to teach. Suffice to say, people donating their bodies will help others even after death,” he said.

Dr. Explaining what happens to the dead bodies donated to the hospital, Ramannavar explained the procedure and said that both burial and cremation will take place after the corpses are autopsied for the students to learn.

Dr. Thanking the Hugar family, Ramannavar said that if the deceased had not promised to donate the body, the families could donate the bodies of their dear ones if they informed the nearest hospital of their intention within six hours of the death. He also emphasized that the death certificate is necessary to complete the formalities related to body donation.

Family members Premavati P. Hugar, Praveen, Pramod and Pratibha after some final rites symbolically handed over the documents to complete the body donation process. Former drug inspector Shivanand Huvin, former president of Dharwad District Union of Working Journalist Lochanesh Hugar and others were present.

Published – 25 Jul 2026 12:31 IST