Colonel HN Handa was commissioned to join the Indian Army at the age of 20. He joined the 2/9 Gorkha Rifles Battalion in Trivandrum in 1956. As his battalion was given the order to move to Naga Hills they traveled the night collecting ammunition, tentage and rations along the way. Once in Barrackpore, they were airlifted and taken to their destination.

Having participated in continuous patrolling and skirmishes in Naga Hills, Col. Handa describes his journey of becoming a young Indian army officer as a “glorifying experience.” He was stationed at Kargil next and then moved to the Batalic region of Ladakh in early 1960.

In 1965, Col. Handa suffered a serious injury when his left leg was blown up by a mine. He had to be fitted with prosthetic leg and therefore, was invalided out of the army on 4 October 1970. He was only 30 years of age when his life changed yet again, but Col. Handa looked beyond his injuries and found a way to make the most of his second innings.

As a special guest at the launch of NDTV-Fortis Healthcare More To Give campaign, Col. Handa was asked why he chose to donate his organs?

He gave his point of view then, however, wasn’t satisfied by his answer. Post the event, Col. Handa emailed us his real answer.

In his own words, here is what he really wished to have said:

“When I came back from the launch, my mind was not at rest. I kept thinking of the question that was asked from me of “Why did you donate your organs?”

Long ago, I had written an article on the Aftermath of my injury sustained in the Chamb Jaurian sector in 1965 and it was only at 3 AM that I realized what I should have answered. It may sound hilarious now but my thoughts really ran as below:

Lying in my bed and reflecting on my injury, career shot to smithereens, the only positive thoughts in my mind were that I would now live my life watching my children grow. I would help them in their journey to adulthood rather than be absent most of the time. Listening to the doctors laments on not being able to save lives due to the lack of live organs, it suddenly dawned on me that life would be more joyous in giving than taking. Thus, it was another area to serve our people. Discussing this with my wife, we decided to donate our bodies and organs at the first opportunity provided. Later our children followed suit.

Since 1968, I have been involved in the Consumer movement helping helpless consumers and then with The Disabled War Veterans. You cannot imagine the joy it has given me in helping those in need. Denying ourselves but scraping funds to educate poor girl children in good schools has been another source of satisfaction. Watching their progress has encouraged us in our endeavors. My wife has been an inspiration to me.”

Like him, many of our war veterans have pledged to donate their organs to save lives. Through their pledges they have not only fulfilled their commitment to the country’s needs but have also fulfilled their moral responsibility of helping one another, a responsibility same for every human.