Date:19/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/19/stories/2004121900341100.htm

National

Inspired by Venkatesh, Srinivas offers body for medical research after death

By K.M. Dayashankar

KARIMNAGAR, DEC. 18. Taking the cue from K. Venkatesh, the muscular dystrophy patient whose death in Hyderabad yesterday set off a debate on the donation of body organs, another person suffering from the same ailment has announced the donation of his body after his death.

Katla Srinivas (35), a resident of Laxminagar in Karimnagar town of Andhra Pradesh, has been suffering from muscular dystrophy for the last 16 years. He had visited several hospitals for treatment but in vain.

He had studied up to the Intermediate level and was working as a commercial artist. He used to go to work with the help of some of his family members and return with them after work. For the last five years, he has remained indoors as his body and limbs have been at odds.

His father, K. Shankaraiah, working with the Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society in the town, urged the Government to provide some assistance to their poor family.

His mother, Anasuya, said: "We are providing everything to my grown-up son, instead of his providing the aged parents food and assistance." She was proud of her son, who had decided to donate his body for research.

Srinivas told this correspondent that his decision was inspired by K. Venkatesh. "I am not interested in donating my organs. But I want my dead body to be used for a noble cause of finding a medicine for curing the dreaded disease after my death," he said.