Mother’s Day: ‘Saas’ gifts her kidney to ‘bahu’ in Bihar's Gaya

GAYA: As world celebrated Mother’s Day on Sunday, 35-year-old Anu Devi couldn’t help but thank her stars for being blessed with two mothers — one who gave her birth and the other who gave her a second life.
Two years ago when the Gaya resident was diagnosed with acute kidney failure, doctors suggested just one line of treatment to save her life — transplant.But for her husband Rajesh Kumar, who works at a private firm, it was very difficult to arrange money for her treatment and, more so, arranging a donor.
It was then that Rajesh’s mother Malti Devi (65) came forward and gifted her daughter-in-law the most precious gift of life by offering her one of her kidneys. "I have lived a major part of my life but Anu has to fulfil the responsibility to bringing up her two children — a 12-year-old son and six-year old daughter,” said Malti.
“I have two sons and a daughter. Once Anu got married to my son Rajesh, it became our responsibility to keep her happy and that is what I have done. She is like my daughter. I do not find any difference between my daughter and her," added Malti, breaking all stereotypes about mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws who can’t see each other eye to eye.
Anu said the doctors at both Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, Gaya, and Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, diagnosed severe complications in her kidney functioning in March 2022. “The only option for me to survive was transplant. I was much worried about the future of my son Kumar Harsh and daughter Kumari Harshita if something happens to me. It was then my mother-in-law came forward to donate her kidney," she said, adding, “she has given fresh lease of life not only to me but to my children as well.”
Finally, after all the family members agreed to the proposal, Anu received one of the kidneys of her mother-in-law following a transplant surgery in PGIMER, Chandigarh, in January 2023. For 10 months, we shifted to Chandigarh," Anu added.
After the successful transplant, both the women have been leading a normal life for the last one year. And the son/husband feels he is the luckiest man alive.
"Being in a private job, I was undergoing financial constraints. But thanks to the people from several parts of the country, who came forward for my help. Overall, I am the luckiest person in the world to have such a great mother,” quipped Rajesh.