Even in death, she gave sight: Odisha family donates eyes of woman killed in elephant attack

In an inspiring gesture, the family of a woman killed in a wild elephant attack in Jalmeripalli under Digapahandi block of Ganjam district donated her eyes at MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MKCGMCH) on Sunday.

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The deceased, Urmila Rout, lost her life after being trampled by a stray tusker that attacked villagers working in vegetable fields in the morning.

According to sources, a herd-separated elephant entered a farmland near the village and chased people working there. While many fled in panic, the animal fatally trampled Urmila Rout on the spot.

Another villager, identified as Gopinath Pradhan, was also attacked by the tusker, and later Urmila succumbed to injuries at a local health centre.

Forest officials from Chandragiri range rushed to the spot and are continuing efforts to track and drive the elephant back into the forest.

Despite their grief, Urmila’s family decided to donate her eyes at the MKCG Hospital, turning tragedy into a life-giving act. Local administration and MLA visited the village, they offered condolences, and assured support to the bereaved families.

Police have registered two unnatural death cases and sent the bodies for a post-mortem before handing them over to the families for her last rites.

The tusker, which had allegedly been roaming for nearly a month across nearby areas and creating panic, has now retreated into nearby forest regions.

“My aunt passed away following an elephant attack at Jalmeripalli Bridge. In the wake of this, our entire family decided to donate both her eyes to MKCG Hospital. This will enable two other individuals to regain their sight through eye donation. In accordance with our family's decision, we donated them to the health facility,” Urmila’s nephew said.

Reported By: Satyanarayan Padhi