Grief Turned Into Hope: Family Donates Eyes of 1.5-Year-Old Daughter Following Tragic Death in Rohtak

Rohtak (Haryana): In a remarkable act of humanity amidst profound personal grief, a family in Rohtak has donated the eyes of their 1.5-year-old daughter following her sudden demise. A medical team arriving from Bhiwani successfully retrieved the corneas and transported them to the Eye Bank at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak. Medical officials noted that this marks the first instance in the district of an eye donation from a child of this age.

High Fever Led to Sudden Deterioration

The child, named Aastha, was playing in the courtyard of her family's home in Meham on Wednesday evening, October 14, when her health suddenly deteriorated. Despite immediate administration of medication, her fever spiked to 106°F.

Her father, Deepak Paruthi, who runs a wholesale business with his brother Sonu, rushed her to a local medical facility at around 4:30 AM on October 15. Due to her critical state, attending physicians referred her immediately to PGIMS, Rohtak. Tragically, the infant succumbed in her father’s arms while en route to the hospital.

Born on February 18, 2025, Aastha had just begun taking her first steps and uttering her first words. She leaves behind her parents and a three-year-old brother. While her father had dreamed of seeing her grow up to become a doctor, her mother had envisioned a career for her in civil services.

Honoring a Prior Organ Donation Pledge

Despite the emotional shock, the Paruthi family decided to act on an existing pledge. Associated with a socio-religious organization, family members had previously registered pledges for post-mortem body and organ donation. In alignment with that commitment, they contacted health authorities to donate Aastha's corneas.

According to Dr. Dinesh Sharma, a retired eye specialist formerly with the Civil Hospital, corneas can be donated from donors ranging from newborn infants up to 90 years of age. He highlighted that this represents the youngest recorded eye donor in Rohtak district. The health department announced plans to present the family with a citation honoring their decision to grant the gift of sight.