Samreen, a devout Muslim from Rajouri, had been suffering from kidney failure and doctors have advised her to undergo transplant.
When 23-year-old entrepreneur Manjot Singh Kohli got to know about her ailing friend Samreen Malik, she immediately boarded a flight to reach Srinagar and offered to donate her kidney, despite reservations from her family.
Samreen, a devout Muslim from Rajouri, had been suffering from kidney failure and doctors have advised her to undergo transplant. While her family members were ready to donate a kidney, they were not a match to Samreen. Her mother's tests came positive, but due to ailments of her own doctors rejected taking her kidney.
When Samreen's family had almost given up, Manjot, a devout Sikh, landed in the hospital and offered her kidney. Manjot, who was a perfect match for Samreen, completed all the formalities but faced an obstacle from the hospital authority. Authorities claimed that the authorisation committee has not cleared the case "since the father of the donor has made a representation cautioning against removing kidney of his daughter for the transplant".
"We can't blame them (family). They are emotionally attached to their kid. I cannot say they are wrong. From their point of view what they are doing is right. But I think rising above the emotions, we should do what God has sent us for. All the relations will stay here and saving life is most important. Plus I am a major and I can take decisions of my own," said Manjot.
Hailing from Udhampur in Jammu, Manjot met Samreen four years ago and since then they had been friends. "Since I am a social activist and she used to participate in my activities and we became good friends. Five months back, I read a Facebook status of our common friend about Samreen. I was confused whether she is the same Samreen. Next day I took the flight to meet her," said Manjot, who is one of the youngest women entrepreneur of J&K and chairperson of NGO 'International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council'.
Waiting her transplant at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar, a frail but confident looking Samreen said Manjot can do anything for her.
"For the last four months she has not budged from her stand. She is the finest example of true friendship," said Samreen, who dropped out from masters programme after her illness.
Samreen's father Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, however, is worried. "I am a simple tailor and have spent RS 7-8 lakh for treatment. But her condition is deteriorating by the day. Even after Manjot offered the kidney and completed all the formalities, her father is not accepting. I have told her that family is her priority and she should back out," he said.
Dr Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, said father of the donor has made a representation to the institute that they should not allow the girl to donate the kidney.
"Although she might be major, the authorizsation committee has to see the pros and cons. They have to satisfy themselves. So far the committee, comprising eminent experts of healthcare, NGOs, senior citizens and lawyers, is not convinced and no clearance has come from their side," said Dr Jan.
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 "Manjot (R) with Samreen")
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