BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : Hundreds of school students from across Delhi and NCR spoke through their canvas as they sent out a powerful message exhorting Indians to pledge their organs and save lives.

The students participated in a unique ‘Art for Life’ Poster Making Competition to raise awareness about the subject ahead of Organ Donation Day.

The competition was organized by the Organ Receiving and Giving Awareness Network (ORGAN) India, an initiative of the Parashar Foundation and the Nehru Planetarium (Nehru Memorial Museum and Library) in the run up to India’s 10th Organ Donation Day on November 27.

Dr. Vasanthi Ramesh, Director of the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) was the Chief Guest for the event; and Dr. Promila Gupta, Principal Consultant, Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW, GOI, was the Guest of Honour. Dr. N. Rathnashree, Director Nehru Planetarium, and Ms Anika Parashar, Chairperson of Parashar Foundation, opened the event.

The competition’s objective was to create awareness on the concept of Organ Donation among students and teachers, and to encourage students to articulate their thoughts on the subject through a vibrant display of their skills and imagination on canvas.

Dr. Promila Gupta, Principal Consultant, Directorate General of Health Services, said, “Organ donation is one of the best gifts one can give to anyone. A person’s consent is very important for organ donation after his/her death. Through the painting competition, I am sure that the message will be spread worldwide.”

“Organ India mission is to spread awareness and to help people like my mother get a chance to live a good life and to get a transplant,” said Ms Anika Parasher, Chairperson, Parashar Foundation.

Dr. Vasanthi Ramesh said that organ donors are like God in a needy person’s life.

“The donor, who is basically dead, is giving life to someone, and there is nothing greater than this in life,” said Dr. Ramesh.