Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 3: Mumbai witnessed a remarkable act of selfless service as Dr. Gunvantrai Ganpatlal Parikh, a 101-year-old freedom fighter, socialist, and Gandhian, donated his body to JJ Hospital after his passing on Thursday. Dr. Parikh’s gesture honored a lifelong vow he shared with his late wife, fellow freedom fighter Mangalaben Parikh, whose body had also been donated to the same hospital in 2010.

Dr. Parikh is among the three oldest known body donors in the city this year, reflecting an extraordinary commitment to humanity even in death. Just a day earlier, 102-year-old Mulund-based gynaecologist Dr. Mohan Parmar donated his body to BYL Nair Hospital, while earlier in May, P.S. Venkateswaran, a retired central government employee from Thane, had held the distinction of being the city’s oldest body donor.

“My parents were Gandhians and strongly believed in serving humanity until the very last moment, and, in this case, even beyond,” said Dr. Parikh’s daughter, Sonal Shah. She added that donating their bodies was their ultimate act of service, though organ and eye donation was not possible as several hours had passed after their deaths at home.

Dr. Ashwini Jadhav, head of anatomy at JJ Hospital, confirmed that Dr. Parikh’s remains would be kept in the mortuary overnight, with embalming scheduled for Friday. Similarly, Dr. Parmar’s son, Vikram, reflected on the emotional nature of such decisions, noting the deep sentiment and difficulty involved in choosing body donation.

These centenarians’ final acts underline a lifelong dedication to Gandhian principles, leaving a lasting legacy of selflessness and service for generations to come.