On March 22, 2026, on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, MOHAN Foundation, Uttarakhand, was invited by Maharashtra Samaj Seva Samiti, Dehradun, to conduct an awareness session on organ donation. The invitation was extended by Dr. Mandar Ketkar, Associate Director, Department of Anesthesia, MAX Super-Specialty Hospital, Dehradun, who also serves as Secretary of the Maharashtra Samaj Seva Samiti, Dehradun. The session was delivered by Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader, MOHAN Foundation, stationed at AIIMS Rishikesh.

Mr. Sanchit actively engaged the participants by encouraging them to share their existing knowledge about organ donation. He then built upon their responses and elaborated on the following topics in detail:

• The concept and significance of organ donation

• Eligibility criteria for becoming an organ donor

• Differences between living and deceased donation

• Organ donation during life and after death

• The concept of brain death and its distinction from coma

• Eye and skin donation, along with corneal preservation after death

• The Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA), 1994

• Whole body donation

• Living kidney transplantation services at AIIMS Rishikesh

• Common myths and facts related to organ donation

• Ways in which individuals can contribute to this noble cause

• Objectives and initiatives of MOHAN Foundation, including the Anudaan initiative

The session encouraged active interaction, with participants posing questions such as:

• Is organ donation possible in individuals with diabetes?

• What is the permissible time frame for corneal donation after circulatory death?

• What is the procedure for whole-body donation?

• In the case of whole-body donation, are the organs also utilized?

• What is the process for organ donation if a person is in another state?

Mr. Sanchit concluded the session by highlighting the urgent need for organ donation in India and encouraged the participants to discuss the subject with their families, friends, and colleagues before making their decision to pledge. He also recommended watching the film Aye Zindagi on Zee5 or YouTube for further insight into the emotional impact of organ donation.

Dr. Ketkar, highlighted that there is no greater gift than organ donation, encouraging everyone to pledge to donate blood while living and organs after passing.

The program ended with participants applauding the efforts of MOHAN Foundation and expressing their willingness to speak with their families about pledging their organs.

The session was attended by 35 participants and six participants pledged to donate their organs on the official NOTTO website.