Organ donation is ‘Mahadaan’, says Vice-President Radhakrishnan at National Organ Transplant Games

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 1, 2026

Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday described organ donation as ‘Mahadaan’ and called for greater public awareness to ensure that fewer lives are lost waiting for life-saving transplants.

Inaugurating the National Organ Transplant Games 2026 at Talkatora Stadium here, he said the event was much more than a sporting competition, celebrating the courage, resilience and determination of transplant recipients while highlighting the life-transforming power of modern medicine.

Congratulating the Renal Care Foundation, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) for the initiative, Radhakrishnan said the Games provided an important platform to promote organ donation and inspire people to embrace the cause.

Referring to India's civilisational ethos of selfless service, he cited Maharshi Dadhichi's sacrifice as a timeless example of giving for the greater good. He also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to promote organ donation through his 'Mann Ki Baat' addresses.

Paying tribute to deceased organ donors and their families, the Vice-President said their generosity gave others a second chance at life. He also appreciated living donors, noting that one deceased organ donor can save up to eight lives.

He called for dispelling myths surrounding organ donation, encouraging informed decisions and urging people to share their wishes with family members.

During the programme, Radhakrishnan released the 'Zindagi Dobara' Calendar and felicitated medal winners of the World Transplant Games 2025 held in Dresden, Germany.

In a record attempt, 570 transplant recipients and donors performed Tadasana together. The organisers received a certificate from the World Book of Records, New Delhi, recognising it as the "Largest congregation of Transplant recipients and donors performing Tadasana".

The Vice-President also took the Organ Donation Pledge and witnessed exhibition matches in Kabaddi, Table Tennis and Badminton.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, Lok Sabha MP Bansuri Swaraj, Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society Chairman D S Rana, NOTG 2026 Organising Chairman A K Bhalla and NOTTO Director Anil Kumar were among those present.

Concluding his address, Radhakrishnan urged citizens to make organ donation an expression of shared humanity and help build a society where more patients receive transplants and fewer lives are lost waiting for organs.