By Seema Dhawan
A Family’s Journey through Adversity
I’ve known Danny Singh for quite some time now. In fact, many of you know him too—he’s a well-known PR professional and celebrity manager. Through him, I’ve had the opportunity to conduct several one-on-one interviews with celebrities, which is how we got connected.I know about his first wife’s battle with lung cancer, her passing, his remarriage, and his daughter Pari’s illness. But what has always struck me about Danny is his unwavering resilience. No matter the challenges he faces—being the sole breadwinner and dealing with numerous personal crises—he never loses his calm and balanced demeanor. It’s truly inspiring to see someone surrounded by such difficulties yet remain so composed and dedicated.
In a world often captivated by reel life heroes, this real story stands as a beacon of inspiration. The characters in the story are Danny Singh, his wife Jyoti Deol, and their four children: Yashita, Lakshay, Pari (Navleen), and Khushi (Khushdeep).
Jyoti is Danny’s second wife. He lost his first wife in 2018. Navleen and Khushdeep are his daughters from his first wife, while Yashita and Lakshay are Jyoti’s children from her previous marriage. But when you see them, it doesn’t seem like they are not one family. The love and bonding they share are stronger than that of blood relations. They stand together in all circumstances, whether in joy or sorrow, and are, in fact, an inspiration to many.
The Turning Point
The family’s narrative took a profound turn when Pari urgently needed a kidney transplant due to renal failure. The transplant was done, but would you like to know who donated the kidney? Yes, it was Jyoti, the stepmother who volunteered to donate her kidney. However, the path to this selfless act was fraught with legal complexities and societal norms that often stigmatize and malign stepmothers. Now, everything is fine, and the whole family is happy since Pari is healthy. This act of selflessness not only saved Pari’s life but also strengthened their familial bond, transcending biological ties.
Excerpts from a conversation…
As I sat down with Danny, Jyoti, and Pari, I could feel their warmth and resilience. During our heartfelt conversation, Jyoti opened up about why she chose to donate her kidney. She spoke with deep love and affection, explaining that she sees Danny’s children as her own. “If they were my own children, I would do the same. main is ghar main aayi hoon… Danny ko apnaya hai to bachon ko bhi apnaya hai (Since I have come into this family and accepted Danny, I have also accepted his children). If I have embraced these children, then they are indeed my own.”
Danny recounted, “As soon as the problem was diagnosed, Jyoti immediately decided that if my tests were successful, I would donate my kidney. She reasoned that since I am the sole breadwinner, it was crucial for me to remain healthy. Jyoti passed all the tests, her kidney matched, and so did her blood group. It was destined for Jyoti to give life to my daughter. Nothing could be greater than this.” Reflecting on the legal hurdles they faced, Danny continued, “This kidney donation procedure is very costly and complicated, with many legalities involved. In India, any family member, like an uncle, aunt, or a cousin, can donate a kidney, but there are so many formalities and legalities for a stepmother that it breaks a person down. In this process, we had to get married three times. Jyoti had a divorce 20 years ago in the village, which the law does not recognize as valid. Therefore, our marriage was not legal. Luckily, upon request, her ex agreed to give legal consent. We then had a ceremony according to Arya Samaj and followed it up with a court marriage. We hired a lawyer, and it took us six months to complete all the formalities. If she were the biological mother, there would be no such formalities. Just provide the Aadhaar card, match the biological mother’s DNA, and that’s it. But in this case, we had to conduct DNA tests with Jyoti’s children from her first marriage and my DNA tests with Pari and Khushi, and of course, we had to handle extensive paperwork.”
Embracing Joy amidst Struggles
Throughout this ordeal, the family remained steadfast, finding moments of joy amidst the challenges. They bonded over cooking, creating humorous reels, and supporting each other emotionally. “As parents,” Danny remarked, “When Pari had to go for dialysis, we kept her very busy. We made cooking reels and funny videos together. During her four-hour dialysis sessions, we joked around, keeping her happy because the happier she was, the better her blood would be. Throughout the past year and a half, we didn’t let the pressure of legal procedures or the transplant affect us. One foot was always at work, and the other was at the hospital. We relieve stress by cooking, making funny reels, or going shopping. I don’t allow myself and my family to be burdened or pressured.”
Pari chimed in, saying, “We’ve shared a beautiful bond with Mamma right from the beginning. Technically, I have become her biological daughter now.” The little girl sounded so thoughtful. I could see tears flowing from Jyoti’s eyes; her statement had made all of us very emotional.
I had a question for Jyoti about how her children, Yashita and Lakshya, reacted to her decision to donate her kidney. Were they mentally prepared for such a significant step by their mother? Sensing my hesitation, Jyoti described their response with profound clarity, “My two children, Yashita and Lakshya, were witnesses to my decision. They never stopped me. They rather supported me. Lakshya knew from the beginning, but I hadn’t told my daughter yet. I planned to tell her only when everything was finalized, but one day, my sister informed her. She called me and asked, ‘Why didn’t you tell me? I will support you.’ She went to the hospital and handled all the legal formalities on my behalf, along with my son.”
Strength through Challenges
Danny observed, “There is a strong bond among all four children. Right from day one, all four children have been so close to each other that you wouldn’t think they have different mothers. My daughter’s treatment wasn’t covered by insurance. We spent over 60 lakhs on her treatment, which isn’t easy for a middle-class man who is the sole breadwinner. I had to focus on both work and treatment while maintaining a positive atmosphere at home, ensuring no one shed tears or felt hopeless.” Danny explained, “Either I was at work, or Jyoti or Lakshya was there. My daughter Pari even motivated many people in the hospital who were not eating, inspiring them to eat. Jyoti and Lakshya took care of most things, with Lakshya also helping my daughters with studies. Pari, currently in the 12th grade, received full support from their youngest daughter, Khushi, who also took care of her.”
Danny’s words of advice embody the essence of their family’s experience: “Remember, no matter what challenges arise at home, don’t let them overwhelm you. And never lose hope. Stay calm and composed, because facing adversity with a clear mind helps you overcome it faster.”
Their story resonates as a testament to the power of love, unity, and resilience in the face of adversity. As they continue their journey together, Danny, Jyoti, and their children stand as an inspiration, reminding us all of the enduring strength found in family bonds.
