Wife of a Hyderabad-Origin Man Donates His Organs, Saves Five Lives in Texas

On Tuesday evening, Anisha Rajesh wrote a Facebook post about the untimely demise of Rajiv Putam, the father of one of her dance students, Keerthana Putam.

Anisha is the founder and artistic director of Upasana Foundation for Research and Cultural Exchange.

“We have had a close relationship with Keerthana’s family from the beginning years of Upasana Kalakendra. Rajiv and Bhagya (Keertana’s Mom) have always offered a helping hand at all our functions and events. Rajiv and Bhagya were part of Upasana family for the past 6 years,” she wrote.

On the evening of September 9, Rajiv collapsed at his house in Texas after he dropped Keerthana to her dance class.

Once in the hospital, he died due to a brain aneurysm.

While his family was still in shock, Rajiv’s wife Bhagya Putam’s decision to donate his organs helped save the lives of five people.

A 41-year-old received his heart, a 21-year-old received his lung, a 41-year-old received his liver, a 53-year-old woman got one of his kidneys, and the other kidney went to a 64-year-old man. All in Texas.

“I salute and admire Bhagya’s decision, even in this time of a huge personal loss, to donate all of Rajiv’s organs,” wrote Anisha.

Since Rajiv was the only earning member in his family and is survived by his wife and two children, a fund-raiser was set up to support them. With a goal of $200,000, it has already raised over $85,000 in four days.

“Rajiv did not die in vain. His legacy will live on through those he has saved and through your wonderful family,” read an update from the hospital.

If you want to support Rajiv’s family, you can donate here.

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