Surat: Spreading the message of organ donation through kites, a unique initiative by the Donate Life organization.

“Your Loved Ones’ Organs Are Needed on Earth, Not in Heaven” – A Life-Giving Message at the Kite Festival

For the past 20 years, the Donate Life organization has been playing a leading role in spreading public awareness about organ donation in Gujarat. Through the kite festival, it gave the city’s residents an emotional and inspiring message: “Your loved ones’ organs are needed not in heaven, but here on earth.” The organization’s aim is to more effectively communicate the importance of organ donation in society, inspire people towards organ donation from brain-dead individuals, and express gratitude to those families whose donation of their loved ones’ organs has given new life to hundreds of organ failure patients.

Donate Life, in collaboration with the Surat District Cricket Association and The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organized the “Kite Festival Organ Donor Family Association” at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium. On this occasion, the message “Organ Donation – Life’s Greatest Gift” was conveyed through various posters. Kites bearing messages related to organ donation were also distributed among the city’s residents.

At this Kite Festival, along with organ donor families, hand transplant recipients were also present with their families: Prakash Shelar from Pune, Anita Theng from Aurangabad, and Kailash Mavi from Dahod. During the event, distinguished individuals from the city’s medical, social, political, educational, and industrial spheres met with them and shared their experiences. Prakash Shelar moved and inspired everyone by flying a kite with the hands donated through Donate Life.

It is noteworthy that it has been four years since the hand transplants of Prakash Shelar and Anita Theng. Where they were living a life dependent on others before the transplant, today they are living self-reliant lives. Prakash can now drive a three-wheeler, swim, and even do a headstand, while Anita is able to perform her daily tasks independently.

In addition to the founder of Donate Life, the event was attended by numerous dignitaries including a former cabinet minister and legislator, legislators, a former legislator and BJP vice-president, the Mayor, the Standing Committee Chairman, the BJP Surat City President, the General Secretary, the opposition leader, the Surat City Police Commissioner, the Joint Police Commissioner, and many other senior officials and public representatives.

Additionally, the Director of Surat Airport, the CISF Commandant, the Chancellor of VNSGU, the President and Vice President of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chairman of Surat Peoples Co-operative Bank, the Secretary of the Surat District Cricket Association, NCC and NSS students from various schools and colleges, a large number of doctors, social workers, and citizens also participated in the program. All those present praised the work of the organ donor families and the Donate Life organization, calling their contribution to the field of organ donation exemplary.