In 2024, Vadodara resident Shivam’s 9-yr-old sister died in an accident and her hand was transplanted to a 14-yr-old girl from Mumbai who had lost her’s to electrocution. On Friday, the girl travelled to Vadodara to tie a rakhi to Shivam in an emotionally charged event for both families
Anamta tying a rakhi to Shivam Mistry using the transplanted hand of his late sister, Riya. Pics/By Special Arrangement
A 15-year-old girl from Mumbai, who lost her right hand in 2022 after touching a livewire, has regained the ability of the hand thanks to a transplant. The donor was nine-year-old Riya Bobby Mistry from Valsad, who was declared brain-dead, following a sudden brain haemorrhage, in September 2024. On Friday, recipient Anamta Ahmad travelled to Valsad to tie a rakhi to Riya’s brother, Shivam Mistry. “I feel like I’ve got my sister back,” Shivam told mid-day. “I was worried about who would tie a rakhi to me. I missed my sister so much, but God sent her back to me.”
Riya Bobby Mistry, whose hand was donated to Anamta Ahmad
Anamta, a resident of Goregaon West and an HSC student at Mithibai College, lost her hand on October 30, 2022, while playing on a terrace in her native village in Uttar Pradesh. She accidentally touched a live electrical wire. Her transplant surgery was successfully performed at Gleneagles Hospital, Lower Parel, by Dr Nilesh Satbhai.
Riya, a resident of Valsad, Gujarat, was declared brain-dead due to a brain haemorrhage at Kiran Hospital, Surat, in September 2024. Her family decided to donate her organs, including both eyes, both kidneys, liver, and right hand, through the Surat-based NGO, Donate Life. The hand was transported to Mumbai via a green corridor and transplanted into Anamta the same day.
Anamta Ahmad with the Mistry family in Valsad, Gujarat
“My daughter told me she wanted to tie a rakhi to Shivam,” said Anamta’s father, Aqeel Ahmad. “We took a train to Valsad on Friday to meet him and his family.” “I bought the rakhi from Mumbai and brought a watch as a gift for Shivam, who is now my brother,” said Anamta. “I was worried about who would tie a rakhi to him, but my wish came true. I tied it with Riya’s hand, my right hand is now hers. I cried after meeting Shivam. From now on, he’s my brother.”
She added, “My hand is functioning well. All the fingers, including the wrist, move properly. The doctors say full recovery will take more time.” Shivam, who is preparing for his SSC exams, said, “It was a surprise when Anamta came to Valsad. It feels like God sent her back in Anamta. She promised to come every year. She gave me a watch, and I gifted her a bracelet.”
Anamta Ahmad (in pink, wearing glasses) holds Shivam Mistry’s hand as she meets his family on Raksha Bandhan. PICs/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Speaking with mid-day, Nilesh Mandalewala, president of Donate Life NGO, said, “This is not just a Raksha Bandhan, it’s a message to the world that humanity is the greatest religion. From the skies to the earth, from temples to mosques, the echo that resounded in everyone’s heart was not of any particular religion, but of humanity.
Emotional moment as Anamta ties rakhi to Shivam Mistry
So far, Donate Life has facilitated the donation of 1336 organs and tissues, including 542 kidneys, 235 livers, 57 hearts, 52 lungs, nine pancreas, eight hands, one small intestine, and 432 eyes. These donations have given new life and vision to 1232 people across India and abroad.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
