For the family of 27-year-old Kuldeep Singh, the days following his road accident brought a grief no family is ever prepared to face. A young son and brother who had left home would never return. Yet, while struggling to come to terms with the sudden and devastating loss of Kuldeep, his family found the courage to make a decision that would allow a part of him to live on in others.
Expressing his gratitude to the family Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER**, stated, “There are moments when no words can ease a family’s pain. Kuldeep’s family was facing the unimaginable loss of a 27-year-old son and brother, yet in that moment of profound grief, they found the strength to think of others. Their decision has transformed a personal tragedy into hope for other families. This is the extraordinary compassion that makes organ donation a true Gift of Life.”
A resident of Jagadhri, Yamuna Nagar, Kuldeep was admitted to PGIMER on September 15, 2026, after sustaining a severe head injury in a road traffic accident. He was initially taken to Civil Hospital, Yamuna Nagar, and subsequently referred to PGIMER. He was reportedly riding his scooty when he fell after encountering a speed breaker.
For his mother, Bira Rani, the reality of losing her son was devastating. For his younger brother, Parminder, the loss of his elder brother came as a profound shock that changed the family forever. In the midst of this overwhelming grief, the family was counselled about organ donation.
Following two assessments by the Brain Stem Death Certification Committee on September 17, brain stem death was certified as per established protocols. Despite their immense pain, the family consented to the donation of all organs and corneas.
Their decision meant that Kuldeep’s final act became a beginning for others. Both kidneys and corneas were successfully retrieved and transplanted at PGIMER, giving two renal failure patients a second lease of life, while two patients received the gift of sight through corneal transplantation.
Bira Rani, the bereaved mother, spoke of the pain of losing Kuldeep and the solace the family draws from his donation. She said, “It is impossible for us to accept that Kuldeep is no longer coming home. The house, the family and everything around us feels different without him. But when we think that his organs have given someone another chance to live and his corneas may help someone see, we feel that a part of Kuldeep is still with us. We want his life to carry a message of hope for others.”
For Kuldeep’s younger brother Parminder, the loss has also become a deeply personal call to prevent other families from suffering a similar fate. He said, “What happened to my elder brother should not happen to anyone else. I will work towards creating awareness about road traffic accidents and promoting road safety so that others can be protected from such tragedies.”
Ms. Swati Thapa, Transplant Coordinator, PGIMER, who counselled the family and facilitated the consent for organ donation, said, “Speaking to a family that has just lost a young son and brother is one of the most emotionally difficult moments in the organ donation process. Kuldeep’s family was going through immense pain, yet they showed extraordinary courage and compassion by thinking beyond their own grief and choosing to give others the gift of life. Their decision was not easy, but it was deeply selfless.”
Kuldeep, who worked in a steel factory, was the son of Late Shri Balwant Singh. His family had to confront the painful reality that their young son and brother would never return home. Yet, through their decision to donate his organs, they ensured that his final legacy would not be defined only by the tragedy that took him away, but also by the lives and hopes that his donation has touched.
Dr. Vijay Tadia, Nodal Officer, ROTTO North, PGIMER, said, “For a family to think of saving other lives while dealing with the loss of their own loved one requires immense courage. Kuldeep’s family has shown remarkable humanity. Their decision has enabled both kidneys and corneas to be used for transplantation and has brought hope to patients who were waiting for it.”
The tragedy also highlights the devastating consequences of road traffic accidents, particularly when they claim young lives. PGIMER appealed to citizens to exercise caution on the roads, follow traffic rules and adopt safe riding and driving practices.
For Kuldeep’s family, the grief will remain and the empty space he has left behind cannot be filled. But through their extraordinary decision, they have ensured that his final legacy is not only one of loss, but also of giving — giving two patients a chance to live, giving two others the gift of sight, and giving meaning to a life that ended too early.
