People sign their “last will” at the function on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections

May 15: Five years after Ellora Roychoudhury pledged her body for the cause of medical research, 51 people came forward today to pay tribute to her on her fifth death anniversary in a befitting manner.

The 51 people, including septuagenarian writer and social activist Anima Guha, pledged their bodies and eyes for transplantation and enrichment of medical science at a function organised by Ellora Vigyan Mancha at Kamrup Academy Higher Secondary School.
Roychoudhury, the first woman in the Northeast to donate her body for medical research, had died of cancer at the age of 34 on May 15 .

Today, the philanthropists signed their “last will and testament” to donate their bodies after their death in the presence of officials from the office of senior sub-register, Kamrup.

“There are 25 women and 11 married couples among those who put their signatures on their last wills today,” said Isfaqur Rahman, Roychoudhury’s husband and joint secretary of the mancha.

Guha appreciated the efforts of the mancha in spreading scientific temper and fighting superstitions. The 76-year-old social activist expressed happiness that so many women had come forward to donate their eyes for corneal transplantation and bodies for advancement of medical science and research.

Guha’s octogenarian husband, Amalendu, an eminent historian and social scientist, had pledged his body three years ago.

Hundreds of people, including the medical director of Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Harsha Bhattacharya, and educationist and former dean, faculty of sciences, Gauhati University, Indu Mohan Das, attended the function.

“The Ellora Vigyan Mancha, since its inception, has launched a movement to spread scientific temper among the people and to fight against superstition. In response to our campaign, 219 people have so far pledged their eyes and bodies for the service of humanity,” Rahman said.

“The philanthropic move of the 51 persons will definitely inspire and encourage progressive and science-loving people to follow in their footsteps. The mancha will provide all necessary help and cooperation to fulfil their desires,” he added.
After registration of the wills, a meeting was held where Bhattacharya spoke on the “importance of scientific temperament in society”.

Lauding the efforts of the mancha, he said Roychoudhury’s example had created a history of sorts in Assam and organ donation had assumed the form of a movement.