Over 380 voluntary body donors thanked at ‘Abhinandana’, organised by Ramaiah Medical College

Dr. Shalini C. Nooyi, Principal and Dean of Ramaiah Medical College, quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson to capture the spirit of the initiative: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate...” Dr. Nooyi highlighted the different aspects of ageing, including biological, psychological, and social ageing. She stressed the importance of staying healthy through communication, regular exercise, good sleep, and maintaining a balance between family and friends. She further encouraged the audience to continue learning and engaging in meaningful interactions throughout life, stating, “Your healthy body is donated for the service of others.”

The Department of Anatomy at Ramaiah Medical College last weekend organised ‘Abhinandana,’ a felicitation programme for those who have taken a pledge to donate their bodies after their passing away to aid medical education and research.

As many as 382 registered body donors were present at the function, with many family members in attendance, receiving heartfelt gratitude for their progressive step.

Dr. Shalini C. Nooyi, Principal and Dean of Ramaiah Medical College, quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson to capture the spirit of the initiative: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate...” Dr. Nooyi highlighted the different aspects of ageing, including biological, psychological, and social ageing. She stressed the importance of staying healthy through communication, regular exercise, good sleep, and maintaining a balance between family and friends. She further encouraged the audience to continue learning and engaging in meaningful interactions throughout life, stating, “Your healthy body is donated for the service of others.”

The faculty of the Department of Anatomy has been organising the ‘Abhinandana’ felicitation programme since its inception in 2010. They also answer donors’ queries, guiding them through the registration process, and ensuring a smooth body donation process. The success of the voluntary body donation is the cumulative efforts of the staff members of the Forensic Medicine Department, Casualty Medical Officers, Social Medical Welfare Department and Public Relation Officers, said organisers of the event.

The event saw many lectures, including one by Dr. Anand Bhandary, Professor and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, giving insights on eye care for the geriatric age group. He recommended that individuals between 21 and 40 years old undergo eye check-ups every two years, those aged 40 to 60 should consult an ophthalmologist every one to two years, and individuals above 60 should have an annual eye examination.

Dr. Lithika Lavanya M., a Radiation Oncologist from M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, delivered a talk focused on raising awareness about cancer prevention and early detection. The programme also featured ‘Body in Balance’ by Ramesh Debur, Associate Professor, Ramaiah College of Physiotherapy, and a talk on the benefits of millets in our daily diet by Nagarekha Palli, Senior Faculty Member, Food Production Department, Faculty of Hospitality Management and Catering Technology, RUAS.

An octogenarian at the Abhinandana 2025 programme, said, “I feel very happy to be a part of the celebration as one who has pledged his body to the cause of medical education.” He thanked Ramaiah Hospital for creating awareness on the importance of body donation.