From the memoir: Surgeon who performed India’s first heart transplant in 1994 tells the story

The time was around 11 pm on August 2, 1994. I was still in my office in the ICU area; it had been a long day, what with one thing or the other. Through the day, there had been parleys regarding a potential donor, but nothing conclusive, and I was beginning to tire of the constant shuffling back and forth with multiple stakeholders in the picture. We had a few people earmarked as potential recipients, and it broke my heart to see the hope dim just a bit more in their eyes by the end of every day.

And then, suddenly, the phone lines started jangling with renewed urgency. There was a swift flurry of activity between the neurosciences and cardiothoracic–vascular surgery centres. “We have the family’s acceptance. . .The family is ready to donate. . .Hurry, hurry, are you ready?” But of course, we were ready! We swung into action with the preparation; Devi Ram, aged 40 years, had the matching AB-positive blood group. We had admitted him a few weeks ago in CT 5, bed 4, and his being co-located with the donor proved to be an added boon. He was a lathe worker and we knew that he was...

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