There is nobody to look after me:Disabled father of Sikh woman who offered kidney to Muslim friend
Jammu, Dec 2: The father of a Sikh woman in Jammu and Kashmir who expressed her desire to donate one of her kidneys to her female Muslim friend, appealed to his daughter Sunday to "reconsider" her decision taking into account his medical condition and sought the governor's intervention.
Manjot Singh Kohli, 23, a social and human rights activist, had recently made her decision public to donate one of her kidneys to her 22-year-old Muslim friend Samreen Akhtar of Rajouri district, but said objections by her family and a hospital in Srinagar were delaying the procedure.
"With folded hands, I am requesting my daughter to abandon the plan to relieve me of the trouble as you are aware of my medical condition and there is nobody to look after me," Gurdeep Singh Kohli, who has 75 per cent disability and is unable to walk, told reporters at his Udhampur residence.
The activist's father had already served a notice to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, opposing her daughters decision, saying "there is no family consent".
Manjot Singh Kohli's parents met with an accident in 2014, resulting in the death of her mother while his father escaped with serious injuries and underwent a major operation.
"Have mercy on me and come back. You are not doing any good as your own father requires you, who else are here to look after me. I cannot bear this shock," he said and sought the intervention of state governor Satya Pal Malik to save the life of his daughter.
Gurdeep Singh Kohli, known among his family and friends as Pinka, broke down and said his only son is working in Delhi and he had done everything possible to ensure good education to his children.
"I gave her the best of the education and enrolled her in a school in Himachal Pradesh where noted Bollywood actresses have studied. When her (Akhtar's) mother is medically fit to donate a kidney, why they are compelling my daughter," he said.
He said his daughter left about nine months back, had opened an institute in Jammu and informed him that she is moving to Srinagar for a three-month course.
"On November 10, she came along with her friend and informed me that she wanted to donate kidney to her. I opposed when her friend left. What she is doing is illegal as she cannot donate her kidney outside blood relation," he said terming her move as an attempt to "attract attention".
He said people are welcoming her decision and sending congratulatory messages but "I know it is for the time being and nobody will look back once she is done. They will take care of her for some time and then she is young and it is my wish to marry her off. After donating the kidney, nobody is going to marry her".
Manjot Singh Kohli had said "we have been friends for the past four years and I am emotionally attached to her. Also, it is my strong belief in humanity that is motivating me to donate my kidney."
She said Akhtar has been involved in social activism with her for the past many years in Jammu.
"But, Akhtar never told me about her illness and I came to know through a mutual friend. She has been my friend and supporter in my tough times and I decided to donate a kidney to her when she needs it," she said.
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Sound effect: Farmers play music on solar-powered speakers to keep tigers at bay in Pilibhit
Pilibhit (UP) (PTI): Farmers living in villages adjoining the Mala range of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve have devised an unusual method to keep tigers away from their fields during sugarcane harvesting – playing loud music on solar-powered sound systems.
According to the farmers, the continuous noise helps deter wild animals from entering their fields.
As sugarcane fields are dense and the visibility is low, the risk of sudden encounters with tigers remains high during the harvesting season.
Forest officials described the initiative as a “desi jugaad” that not only enhances safety but also adds an element of entertainment, with loud music echoing across the fields during work hours.
The method has emerged as a unique way to check human-animal conflict.
Ramnagaria, Ajitpur, Jamunia, Mahua, Mala Ghera, Richhola and Basantapur are among the villages located close to the Mala range that frequently witness tiger movement, keeping the residents on edge. Recently, fresh tiger pugmarks were found in a field in Mahua.
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According to forest officials, Krishna Kumar and his associates in Jamunia village pioneered the “musical” method to deal with the threat.
“Working in the dense sugarcane fields is risky business. We believe wild animals move away due to noise, so playing songs loudly helps keep them at a distance,” Kumar said.
The method is proving effective, enabling farmers to carry out agricultural activities in groups without fear, the villagers said.
Several farmers, including Gaurishankar, Tinku, Ram Bahadur, Rakesh Kumar, Prabhu Dayal and Lalaram, have joined Kumar in implementing this innovative approach.
Deputy Ranger Sher Singh said the forest department is also making continuous efforts to spread awareness among the villagers.
“The department is organising meetings to educate farmers about safe and scientific methods to protect themselves from wildlife,” he told reporters.
