Infant gives a new lease of life to an ailing farmer

Even in death the infant son of an Army Major remained a hero. The 18-month-old toddler, aptly named as Shaurya, died in a tragic accident but brought smile to an ailing farmer who got a new lease of life after getting the baby's kidneys.

The benevolent act of the boy's father did not end there. Shaurya also donated his eyes.

The infant's kidneys were donated to a sick farmer in Andhra Pradesh, who had almost given up hope of survival.

His eyes were donated to the Hospital eye bank, to become the youngest donor in the country for a feat which is expected to be published in the next edition of the Limca book of Records.

The child died after a fatal fall from a balcony in Secunderabad, but his brave father though in deep grief, decided to donate his vital organs to bring joy of life for others.

Narrating his personal tragedy and ordeal that he went through on a December night last year, Major Siddarth Malik said it was a "heart wrenching decision. But I took it as I felt, it was in best interest of the child I was losing".

"My son made his death meaningful by giving life to someone else," Malik told reporters here. The young couple was blessed with a girl child ten days back.

Shauyra's selfless sacrifice is not an isolated case. Instances now are on the increase of Army Jawans, who are ready to sacrifice their life for the country in the line of duty, ready to do noble deeds while facing tragedies.

Saraswati, 108, is a living testimony of modern India

For 107-year old Saraswathy Ramaswamy, who could speak and write in six languages with ease even now, life is nothing but a reflection of the history of modern India.

Born on January one, 1900 in Secunderabad, she had been following almost all developments of the pre- and post-independence India. Be it the fight against British imperialism or the successive Indian governments or even the recent visit by American warship 'USS Nimitz' to the city, she has kept herself abreast with almost all developments.

Saraswathy, who is quite fit and maintains a childish enthusiasm, is putting up at 'Vishranthi', a home for aged women, on the outskirts of the city at Palavakkam.

She speaks and writes six languages -- Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English -- with such finesse that might put even native speakers of these languages to shame. "I learnt 15 languages and I can speak and write six," she says in impeccable English marked by clarity.

An admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, she still remembers the assassination of the 'Father of the Nation'. "The scene of Gandhiji's assassination was very tragic. When I think about it, even now, I can't eat," she adds.

At a time when the nation is likely to get a woman President, she says, "Our country would have progressed very well if all women were like Indira Gandhi."

Saraswathi, who is a big fan of the late Prime Minister, adds that every time she saw her picture, she salutes her.