War veterans body given for medical research

Honorary Flight Lieutenant S T Mariappan died last month at the age of 82. When he returned alive from the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he swore to serve his nation even in his death, by donating his body for medical research. On May 12, his body was draped in the Tricolour along with the IAF emblem, and a senior officer places a wreath. A team from Stanley Medical College and Hospital received the war veteran's body later. However, it wasn't an easy decision for the family. "There was always this psychological hurdle. We had to brace ourselves and stick to the decision of giving away his body for research. When we all dithered, it was our mother, Chandra Mariappan, who stood firm and signed all the documents to hand over the body. Now we are proud that we have fulfilled his wish," said his daughter Dr Manju Gnanasekaran.