As a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Celebrations, the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Zone Chandigarh organised a session to spread awareness about organ donation among its employees. The event was organised in collaboration with ROTTO (Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization), PGIMER, Chandigarh. MOHAN Foundation was invited to address the audience on the occasion which was held on 23^rd August 2021 at CR Building Sector 17, Chandigarh.

Presided over by Mr. Suresh Kishnani, Principal Commissioner, CGST Zone Chandigarh the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from Pr. Commissioners/Commissioners and ADC/JC of Commissionerate, based in Ludhiana/Jalandhar and all the Group ‘A’ Officers and office bearers of the various staff/officers associations, attending the session both physically and virtually.

ROTTO PGIMER was represented by Prof. Vipin Koushal, Addl. Medical Superintendent cum Nodal Officer and Ms Saryu D. Madra, Consultant (IEC/Media). Ms Bhavana Jagwani, Trustee, MOHAN Foundation Jaipur was present during the event. During the presentation, the following topics were covered:

• Organ donation and its need
• Status of organ donation in India
• When and how does organ donation take place
• Organs that can be donated during life and after death
• Brain death
• Causes of brain death
• Difference between brain death and coma
• Contraindications to organ donation
• Transplant Law
• Organ donation - myths and facts

A motivational documentary on the success story of a liver recipient in PGIMER, played for the audience, left many with moist eyes. Another highpoint of the event was a very engaging and interesting Q&A session.

Commemorating the spirit, paintings were gifted to Mr. Suresh Kishnani and other dignitaries as a token to reiterate the fact that ‘circle of life’ should not break. These paintings were made by school students on the theme of Organ Donation under ROTTO PGIMER’s school engagement programme.

We thank CGST Principal Commissioner, Mr. Suresh Kishnani, ROTTO Chandigarh and PGIMER for organizing the event and inviting MOHAN Foundation.