The real 'ardhangini'

SURAT: Ramesh Patel, 49, was just a few hours away from his death in 2005. He, however, survived thanks to an invaluable gift from his wife Sharda, 44. Patel's liver had stopped working and there was only a bleak chance of his survival but his better half came forward and donated her liver to save his life.
It was not the only time Sharda had saved Ramesh's life.In 2009, she became his life saver again by donating her kidney to husband.
In India, wives are referred as 'ardhangini' - undivided part of body - and in case of Ramesh and Sharda that has been proved literally. In 2005, when Ramesh couldn't find any donor, Sharda saved his life by donating her liver and the same thing happened in 2009 when she donated her kidney to save her husband from certain death.
Thanks to Sharda's exemplary act, smiles have returned on the faces of the couple and the happy family is celebrating 24 years of their marriage. "Wife is life applies to me in real terms. I would have died in 2005 if Sharda was not around. My liver failed due to cirrhosis and the attending doctors gave me an ultimatum to arrange the organ within a few hours. With no liver donor available, my wife came forward and saved my life," said Ramesh, a businessman.
The family belongs to Budhna village in Bhavnagar and is settled in the city for the last two decades. The couple has two daughters and a son. Both Ramesh and Sharda are in good health and get regular health checkup done.
"My husband is my life. My life has no meaning if he is not with me. I did what every 'ardhangini' is supposed to do," said Sharda, who now receives greater respect and care from the family and friends. "Initially, my husband was not in favour of the donation but I convinced him. At the time of kidney donation, I told my husband that we both survived from one liver so we can surely survive with two kidneys," she added.
"My brother's report did not match for donation. Though, Sharda was insisting on donating her organ, the doctors were a bit hesitant as it was necessary that one of us should live for the future of our children," said Ramesh. Liver transplant technology was not developed in India in 2005 hence a doctor from London was called in for the transplant, he added.
"I strongly believe that every human being should donate organ. It helps save many lives," said Sharda.