Karnataka is heavy with grief after the sudden demise of their power star Puneeth Rajkumar. Following his father’s footsteps, ‘Appu’ fondly called by his fans, eyes will be donated to the society.
The actor had long ago pledged to donate his eyes to Dr Rajkumar Eye Bank, which was launched by his father - Rajkumar along with Narayana Netralaya.
Appu’s family didn't forget his promise and on Friday donated his eyes continuing the family legacy.
Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar died after he suffered a massive heart attack on October 29 while working out at his gym. His fans are grieving the loss and it was his simplicity and love for the people that his residence was packed with his well-wishers.
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Following his death, Dr Bhujang Shetty received a call from Raghavendra Rajkumar, Puneeth Pajkumar's brother to recover his eyes for donation. The actor became the third person from his family to donate his eyes after his father Dr Rajkumar in 2006 and his mother Parvathamma in 2017.
Dr Bhujang Shetty, chairperson of Narayana Netralaya and head of Dr Rajkumar Eye Bank said, “Amidst the grief, Puneeth’s brother Raghavendra Rajkumar called me and said that the family wants to donate his corneas. He was declared dead at 2.30 pm and the harvest was done at 2.45 pm. His corneas were intact. They will be used for needy patients at the earliest.”
The eye bank was launched in 1994 and Dr Shetty remembers speaking to Rajkumar about the possibilities of eye donation, the latter had asked him how he could be of any help.
“I told him that all that I needed was his name for the eye bank. He readily agreed and all his family members pledged their eyes. Pledging is one thing, but recalling the pledge during the sad demise of a family member amidst grief is a great move. This is the third pair of eyes harvested from the Rajkumar family,” said Shetty.
Dr Bhujang Shetty said that Puneeth’s father Dr Rajkumar had pledged his eyes for donation and at the same time promised that all his family members will also donate their eyes after death. “The family has kept his word. Even at such a difficult time, they called me this noon and asked to retrieve his eyes. They are truly brave,” he added.
A fellow actor and Puneeth’s friend, Chetan Kumar took to his Twitter account and pledged to donate his eyes. "While I was at the hospital to see Appu Sir, a medical group came to remove his eyes in the 6-hour window after death. Appu Sir—like Dr Rajkumar & @NimmaShivanna—donated his eyes. Following in their footsteps & in Appu Sir’s memory, we must all pledge to donate our #eyes as well. I do so (sic),” he tweeted.
Puneeth Rajkumar’s father Dr Rajkumar during the inaugural function of the eye bank had pledged that the eyes of his entire family will be donated after their deaths.
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The eye bank was named after him in 1994. His father's pledge and contribution had brought many eye donations back then.
"What is the point of eyes burning with the pyre after death when it can help two people see. Not just me, my entire family including my children and their grandchildren will pledge their eyes," Dr Rajkumar had said.
Puneeth Rajkumar was cremated on Sunday morning, October 31 with full state honours at Bengaluru's Kanteerava studio. His mortal remains will be laid next to his father and mother’s memorial.
The Kannada actor is survived by his wife Ashwini Revanth and two children, Drithi and Vandhitha.