Kerala to give farewell to youngest organ donor with state honours
_vb_51.jpeg)
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala’s youngest organ donor, a 10-month-old girl who gave a new lease of life to five children, will be accorded a farewell with state honours, the government said on Saturday, a day after she was declared brain dead and donated her vital organs.
Aalin Sherin Abraham, who was critically injured in a road accident near Pallam in Kottayam on February 5, was declared brain dead on Thursday at a private hospital in Kochi.
With her parents’ consent, six of her organs were donated, making her the youngest organ donor in the state, officials said.
In a post on 'X', Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the passing of the child in the road accident had deeply saddened everyone and that she would be bid farewell with official honours at her funeral, scheduled for Sunday.
Later in the day, an order was issued directing the district authorities in Pathanamthitta to make arrangements to place wreaths on the infant’s mortal remains on behalf of the chief minister and the state government.
The district police chief was instructed to accord police honours with a bugle salute, the order said.
Health Minister Veena George also posted on Facebook that "the state will give honour to the beloved little daughter."
A day after she became the youngest organ donor in Kerala, people from various walks of life, including Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and CM Vijayan, expressed deep sorrow over the death of the 10-month-old girl and hailed her parents’ decision to donate her organs.
They described the parents’ generous gesture as an "extraordinary act of compassion and a message to all humanity."
In a social media post, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said he was "deeply moved" by the decision of Arun Abraham and Sherin Ann John, who chose to donate six organs of their daughter after she tragically lost her life in an accident.
"Through their selfless decision, they have gifted life and hope to others. May little Aalin’s soul rest in eternal peace. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," he said.
Vijayan recalled that her parents chose to donate her organs in the midst of unimaginable pain.
"By becoming Kerala’s youngest organ donor, little Aalin has granted a new lease of life to five others—a monumental act of compassion that reflects the true spirit of Kerala," he said in a post on 'X'.
The CM extended his deepest condolences to the family and also saluted the dedicated health professionals, police officers, and support teams whose swift coordination made the transplants possible.
Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan also described Aalin’s demise as heartbreaking and said the parents’ decision was a message to all humanity.
"Even in the midst of the grief caused by the loss of their only daughter, the decision to donate the organs of the brain-dead child to save the lives of other children is commendable," he said in a statement.
"At a time of immense personal tragedy, the decision taken by those parents, keeping in mind the lives of other children, is a message to all humanity," he added.
Actor Mohanlal condoled the child’s death, saying that by giving hope of renewed life to a few young children, the little angel bid farewell to the world.
He said the parents have become examples of humanity and compassion, and that the world remains beautiful because of such selfless love.
"Aalin will continue to live on—not only in the memories of her loved ones, but also in the hearts of millions," he said.
According to hospital authorities, the organ donation process was coordinated through the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO).
The child’s heart valve, liver, and kidneys were allocated to various hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram, while her eyes will be donated to an eye bank, authorities added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
'Grew up in a family where women were bosses': Rahul tells students
New Delhi (PTI): "I grew up in a family where the women were the bosses," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi told students during an interaction in Kerala recently, while asserting that women are generally more intelligent than men.
On International Women's Day, Gandhi posted a video of his interaction with the students on his YouTube channel on Sunday and said that a few days ago, he met some young women students in Kerala during a lunch interaction and had a very interesting conversation with them.
"I was deeply impressed by each student's dreams, curiosity, and confidence. Such conversations remind us that when women recognise their potential and move forward with an open mind, they can bring about extraordinary change," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
"Every woman is unique. Their sensitivity, understanding, and emotional intelligence provide balance and direction to society. Women also wield power in their own unique ways - with patience, long-term vision, and empathy," Gandhi asserted in his post in Hindi, accompanying the video.
"Therefore, they should have every right to move forward according to their identity, personality, and aspirations, rather than being bound by society's restrictive norms," he said.
"Heartiest greetings to all women on International Women's Day. May your strength, courage, and dreams continue to propel society toward a positive future," Gandhi said.
Posting the video on X, Gandhi said interacting with some young students in Kerala was incredibly inspiring.
"Their confidence and belief in their dreams demonstrate that women are the ultimate force for change," he said.
In the video, Gandhi is seen having a free-wheeling chat with the women students.
"I grew up in a family where the women were the bosses. So the boss of my family was my grandmother and I have always in my family, like on this table, been outnumbered by women," Gandhi tells the students.
"Women are generally more intelligent than men for the most part. Men are in a hurry and men get blinded by silly things.Women think longer term, they don't apply direct power they apply indirect power, it is more effective," he says.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge shared on X a quote by BR Ambedkar on gender equality - "You are not born to suffer. You are born to rise"
"Women are not merely participants in development. They are its driving force. Through their wisdom, resilience, compassion, and determination, women strengthen communities, and build stronger nations," Kharge said on X.
"On International Women's Day 2026, we celebrate the courage, leadership, and countless contributions of women everywhere. True progress will come when equality is not an aspiration, but a lived reality for every woman," the Congress chief said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also greeted women on International Women's Day.
"On this Women's Day, may every woman realise her strength, her rights and her power to shape the future. You matter. Your voice matters. Your dreams matter," she said on X.
केरल में कुछ युवा छात्राओं के साथ हुई बातचीत बेहद प्रेरणादायक रही।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 8, 2026
उनका आत्मविश्वास और सपनों पर विश्वास बताता है - महिलाएँ बदलाव की सबसे बड़ी शक्ति हैं।
सभी को #InternationalWomensDay की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। pic.twitter.com/OV2fvth1rB
