HYDERABAD: At less than one per million of population, India has one of the poorest organ donation rates in the world. But Mucherla village in Hanumakonda district is blissfully ignorant about these numbers.
Located about 15 km from the district headquarters, the small village of 500 people is making a profound impact as all the residents have pledged to donate their eyes after death.
Over the past few years, the village has set an inspiring example with around 70 villagers already having donated their eyes. This gesture has not only transformed the lives of the recipients but also fostered a deep sense of community and compassion among the villagers. Families actively participate in the cause, with many expressing how the decision has brought them closer, reinforcing the idea that even in death, one can continue to give.
For the people of Mucherla, organ donation is more than just a promise—it’s a way of life. The village has become a beacon of hope, showing how small, collective actions can lead to meaningful change. Local leaders and health officials say the village is a rare example where an entire community is involved in such a cause.
Speaking to TOI, Mandala Ravinder, a divisional engineer in the irrigation department and a Mucherla man, shared his personal connection to the cause. A decade ago, he took the first step by pledging to donate his mother’s eyes after her passing. “I strongly believe that organs should not go waste after death. I pledged to donate my own organs and previously donated my father’s organs in 2019. I encouraged others to follow suit, hoping it would help those in need and bring about positive change in our community,” he said.
Ravinder’s initiative has been instrumental in rallying the village around this noble cause, with many villagers, inspired by his example, joining the movement to donate their organs and eyes. “We inform Ravinder sir if a death occurs in the family. He, in turn, contacts the doctors, who do the needful. He is our go-to man,” said Malla Reddy, a villager.
The movement began several years ago when a few villagers took the first steps by pledging their eyes, and it quickly gained momentum. Today, the entire village stands united in this humanitarian effort, proving that when communities come together with a shared vision, they can make an incredible impact on society.
The success of Mucherla’s organ donation initiative has sparked a ripple effect in neighbouring villages, with at least 20 individuals pledging to donate their eyes to the LV Prasad Eye Institute after their passing. Medical professionals regularly visit the village to conduct health camps and raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.
Mucherla has also set up a well-organised system, keeping detailed records of those who have pledged to donate, and coordinates with hospitals in Hanumakonda district to ensure a prompt response when needed.
“We donated my mother’s eyes, and I take immense pride in our contribution to reducing visual impairment in society,” said B Sujatha, a villager. “Our community’s commitment has created a model of organ donation that continues to grow and inspire change. This achievement proves that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, we can make a meaningful difference,” she told TOI.
The village’s dedication was recently acknowledged when it received the ‘Excellence in eye donation’ award from the governor.
