Cuttack, June 7: In a bold step taken by 45-year-old Mandakini Mohanty, which will inspire many others, she today donated the eyes of her husband Birendra Mohanty (55), who died at S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital.

Birendra was admitted to S.C.B. in the wee hours today after he was severely injured in an attack on him by three anti-socials at Kaptipada in Mayurbhanj district on Saturday.

Birendra was initially admitted to Udala Hospital, from where he was shifted to S.C.B. after his condition deteriorated. He breathed his last at S.C.B. around 6:30am today.

“It was a tough call for me. However, I made up my mind to donate the eyes of my husband so that someone else could regain his eyesight through my husband’s eyes,” said Mandakini. She does not how she will make ends meet now as her husband was the only bread-earner in her family.

Birendra, who was a truck driver, was attacked by three anti-socials following a minor bicycle accident Kaptipada in Mayurbhanj.

“My uncle was on his way to call the labourers on his bicycle when three persons attacked him following a heated argument. On getting information, we rushed to the spot and rescued my uncle who was profusely bleeding. Though we are still coping with his demise, we are happy that another person can now be able to see the world through the eyes of my uncle. We hope that more and more people come forward to donate their eyes after death,” said Sanjay Mohanty, the deceased’s nephew.

“Awareness is spreading among people and more and more people are coming forward to donate their eyes. This will benefit the society as more and more visually challenged people will be able to see the world again,” said Niladri Bihari Das, assistant manager of Drusti Daan, an NGO.

Das said Birendra’s eyes would be sent to L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, where certain tests of the cornea, along with HIV, would be conducted. If the reports are found to be good, the eyes of the donor will be transplanted in a recipient within four days.