On the occasion of World Organ Donation Day, a state-level ceremony was held at the Conference Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling paid rich tributes to organ donors who gave the gift of life to others and felicitated their families with the prestigious ‘Suraj Samman’.
A total of 24 organ donors from 11 districts were honoured. Each family received a cash award of ₹5 lakh along with a certificate of honour. This year recorded the highest number of Suraj Samman awards compared to the previous year.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme has created nationwide awareness about the importance of organ donation. As a result, a new consciousness and a people’s movement have emerged among the general public. Thanks to these efforts, India now ranks third in the world in organ donation. Organ donation is not merely a decision; it is a golden opportunity to give new dreams and a new life to someone else. In Indian culture and tradition, ‘daan’ (donation) has always been regarded as a supreme human value.”
He further noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the highest number of Suraj Samman awards have been presented this year. Paying homage to the contribution of Suraj, after whom the award is named, the Minister highlighted that a single brain-dead person can donate organs such as kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, pancreas and intestines, thereby saving multiple lives.
Dr. Mahaling urged everyone to intensify awareness campaigns so that organ donation becomes a widespread and popular practice across society.
The programme was attended by Health Secretary Aswathy S., Director of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) Anil Kumar, and other senior officials of the Health Department.
