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ਜਨ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ਆਏ
III
Sewa and Simran are the two pivotal Sikh ethos on which the Sikh society has evolved throughout five and a half centuries of its existence. We get frequent glimpses of the manifestation of these two Sikh doctrines through the random acts and deeds of some rare Sikh individuals and collective community service of free distribution of food (langar) rendered to the distressed people all over the globe irrespective of their race, religion, colour or creed during the occasions of natural or man-made calamities. We reproduce below the spectacular selfless deed of the highest order performed by a promising young Sikh girl by determinedly offering one of her vital organs/ Kidneys to a friend suffering from organ failure against the pleadings of her own bed-ridden aged and widowed father, thus bypassing her own grief as reported in the 'Middle' Column of The Tribune, December 10, 2018:
Kidney Act wins thousand hearts
MANJOT SINGH KOHLI, a 23-year-old Sikh girl from Udhampur district, is a rights activist. Her name is trending on social media, for what is an inspirational act. She is going to donate her kidney to an ailing Muslim friend, battling for her life at SKIMS (Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science), Srinagar. Her friend, 22-year-old Samreen Akhtar from Rajouri district, is suffering from organ failure and needs a kidney transplant to survive. Her mother's kidney was declared unfit for transplantation.
When none of her relatives came forward, they posted a message on social media seeking a donor. Manjot was unaware of her friend's illness and came to know about it through another friend. In a flash, she called Samreen, saying she was coming to Srinagar to donate her kidney. She boarded the flight and upon landing, approached the authorisation committee at SKIMS for the transplant. Dozens of tests were performed on her and she was deemed fit for the transplant. But the procedure is being delayed as Manjot's family has sent a representation to SKIMS, urging the hospital authorities not to go ahead with it. But Manjot is resolute on her decision and has even pledged that she will knock the doors of the court if doctors acted against her will. Manjot's father has requested his daughter to reconsider her decision and return home. In a video message that has gone viral, he pleads that he is suffering from 75 per cent disability and wants her back home. At a time when every soul is praising the selfless and humanitarian act, her family is apprehensive about their daughter's health. They have rejected their daughter's aspiration to save her friend's life.
Every religion stresses on humanity. They say, saving one's soul is like saving the whole humanity. Manjot is doing the same thing. Despite her different religious affiliation, she is willing to save her friend by donating an important organ. The uneasiness of her father is expected. After all, he has already lost his wife. He does not want anymore tragedy to befall his family. But our destinies are written by the Creator. We cannot rewrite it. We can only strive for the good of humanity. In times of extreme animosity, when people are killing one another in the name of religion, here is a young Sikh girl, setting an incredible example of communal harmony. This compassionate and humane act has already won thousands of hearts and more will be inspired when she will finally donate her kidney to save a Muslim girl. Besides saving a human life, it will serve as an important message for communal harmony in a strife-torn state.
ਜਨਮ ਮਰਣ ਦੁਹਹੂ ਮਹਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਜਨ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ਆਏ ॥
ਜੀਅ ਦਾਨੁ ਦੇ ਭਗਤੀ ਲਾਇਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਲੈਨਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥– Sri Guru Granth Sahib, p. 749
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