Kottayam: The grandfather of 10-month-old Alin Sherin, Kerala’s youngest organ donor, on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mentioning the infant and her family in his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat.

Reji Samuel, speaking to reporters at Mallappally, said the family felt comforted amid their grief that the Government of India had acknowledged Alin Sherin’s organ donation during the Prime Minister’s address.

“On one hand, we are grieving the child's death. But we are happy that the country has recognised this,” he said, adding that the mention in Mann Ki Baat would inspire more families to consider organ donation.

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Family responds to social media criticism

Samuel also addressed criticism directed at the family on social media following the decision to donate Alin Sherin’s organs after she was declared brain dead.

“We did not do this for publicity or recognition. We only feel sympathy for those posting such comments and distorting facts,” he said.

In his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about organ donation in India and referred to Alin Sherin and her parents. He said there is no greater sorrow for parents than losing a young child and noted that her father, Arun Abraham, and mother, Sherin, had made a decision that earned the nation’s respect.

Also Read | PM Modi honours Kerala baby Alin; calls her an inspiration amid rising organ donation awareness

Road accident and brain death

Alin Sherin was critically injured in a road accident on February 5 at Pallam near Kottayam on MC Road while travelling with her mother and maternal grandparents. Despite intensive medical treatment, doctors declared her brain dead on February 12.

With the consent of her parents, the organ donation process was coordinated by the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation.

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Organs transplanted to save five lives

Officials said Alin Sherin’s heart valve was sent to the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, her liver to KIMS Hospital, and her kidneys to Government Medical College.

Through the coordinated transplant effort, five patients received a new lease of life.

The infant was laid to rest with state honours, in recognition of her contribution to organ donation in Kerala. Her case has since drawn national attention and renewed discussion around paediatric organ donation and awareness in India.