In a moving story of love that transcends borders, 55-year-old Anupa Biswas, an Indian citizen, donated one of her kidneys to her younger brother Swapan Biswas, a Bangladeshi national, giving him a second chance at life.
Swapan, 43, a fish trader from Bangladesh’s Satkhira district, had been battling end-stage kidney failure since 2018 and was dependent on regular dialysis. His deteriorating health forced him to give up his livelihood, with financial support coming from his sisters in India and Bangladesh.
A rare cross-border transplant
Doctors at RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) in Kolkata advised a renal transplant. Medical tests revealed a 100 per cent genetic match between Swapan and his elder sister Anupa, making her an ideal donor.
While organ donation among blood relatives is not uncommon, hospital officials said this was the first documented case in eastern India involving a cross-border donor and recipient.
The siblings underwent an extensive documentation process to secure the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the transplant. The surgery was performed on January 3 by a team including nephrologist Dr Pratik Das and renal transplant surgeon Dr Tarshid Ali Jahangir.
Anupa was discharged a week after the procedure, while Swapan was declared fit for discharge later and will remain in Kolkata for follow-up care.
A bond rooted in history
The family’s story dates back to 1971, when their parents fled to India during the war. Anupa was born during that period, and the family lived in Burdwan before returning to Bangladesh. Anupa remained in India after marriage, while her siblings moved back.
“I asked them to leave me to my fate, but my sister was firm,” Swapan said, expressing gratitude to his sister, brother-in-law and niece.
Doctors described the transplant as a powerful reminder that humanity and blood ties transcend man-made boundaries. Despite political tensions between the two countries, the siblings said they remain hopeful that goodwill and friendship will prevail.