Panvel Mayor Signs Pledge as PMC Flags Off Organ Donation Campaign
On Thursday, the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Dhanvantaris Organisation for Socio-Health Transformation (DOST) flagged off an Organ Donation and Health Services Dindi at the Adya Krantiveer Vasudev Balwant Phadke Natyagruha in Panvel. The initiative, launched ahead of the annual Ashadhi Wari Palkhi procession, aims to raise public awareness about organ donation and honor key individuals for their contributions to health and social services.
During the event, several prominent figures were honored with the DOST Dindi Award. The awardees included Panvel Mayor Nitin Patil, K.C. Luthia, president of the Manav Jyot Charitable Trust, Dr. Subhash Salunkhe, former Maharashtra Director General of Health Services, vascular surgeon Dr. Gustad Davar, and Vijay Kasurde, president of the Vaishnav Charitable Trust.
The program was chaired by PMC Additional Commissioner Ganesh Shete. Other key civic representatives in attendance included Deputy Mayor Pramila Patil, Standing Committee chairman Baban Mukadam, and corporators Ajay Bahira and Sumit Jhunjarrao. Chief Passenger Transportation Manager of Central Railway Dr. Milind Hirve and H.B.P. Ramdas Maharaj More, former president of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Sansthan, Dehu, attended as chief guests.
The event featured a devotional cultural program titled "Hechi Daan Dega," presented by the DOST Cultural Forum and Nritya Navrasa Academy. Students also performed a short play highlighting the importance of organ donation. Additionally, an organ donation pledge card and an information booklet were officially unveiled to the public.
The newly flagged-off awareness dindi is scheduled to join the Ashadhi Wari Palkhi procession starting July 9. Along the palkhi route, the campaign will organize FibroScan screening camps for liver disease and support the establishment and strengthening of Non-Transplant Organ Retrieval Centres (NTORCs) in various towns.
During the ceremony, Mayor Nitin Patil signed a body donation pledge form. He appealed to the public to overcome myths and misconceptions surrounding organ and body donation, stating that organ donation is an act that gives others a chance to live.
