In Tamil Nadu, Revenue Inspector's Funeral With Full State Honours For Donating His Organs

A civil servant, Vadivelu from Chinnamanur, Theni died in a road accident and became brain-dead. Later, his family donated his organs and he received a funeral with state honours. Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that the state government would accord full state honours to an organ donor’s funeral from the state. The decision was taken to honour the sacrifice made by those who have been declared brain-dead and their family members decide to donate the organs to save lives.

Vadivelu, a 43-year-old man, was a Revenue Inspector who worked with the Theni District Collectorate. On September 23, while returning home on his two-wheeler, he met with an accident after a cow hit his vehicle. He lost his balance and fell to the ground. Vadivelu sustained severe head injuries. He was taken to three different hospitals for his treatment but was declared brain-dead by doctors on Sunday. The family members donated his organs like kidneys, liver, eyeballs and skin.

Vadivelu’s sister, Vijayalakshmi in an interview with News18 said, “My brother was an honest officer who did not accept bribes. He was soon going to be promoted. He always wore a helmet while riding a bike. He died in this accident because he was not wearing a helmet.”

The Tamil Nadu government conducted Vadivelu’s funeral with state honours in Theni district on Tuesday. The Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Tamil Nadu Ma Subramanian and the District Revenue Officer were present at the occasion to pay their respects on behalf of the State government. The funeral also witnessed the attendance of representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly and local bodies who also paid their respects to Vadivelu.

Ma Subramanian in an interview with the media said, “We respect the sacrifice of his wife, mother and sister who donated the organs of the brain-dead Vadivelu.” As per an earlier notification issued by the CM of Tamil Nadu, the last rites of an organ donor will be conducted with respect and honours given by the District Collector, Revenue Officer or officials of that rank.