Bhubaneswar: World Organ Donation Day was commemorated today at the Conference Hall of Loka Seva Bhawan, where the state of Odisha recognized the invaluable contributions of deceased organ donors. The event aimed to encourage the public to save lives by pledging to donate their healthy and valuable organs after death.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling led the ceremony, honoring the families of ten deceased organ donors with the prestigious Suraj Awards. Each family was awarded ₹5 lakh in recognition of their loved ones’ selfless acts of humanity. “This award will inspire citizens across the state to pledge their organs, ultimately saving lives and spreading the message of humanity,” remarked Minister Mahaling.
The 2024 Suraj Award honorees included:
- Late Krishna Panda of Berhampur, Ganjam
- Late Damayanti Mohanta of Rabanapalaspala, Baregodia, Keonjhar
- Late Ajit Kumar Chowdhury of Talkia, Balasore
- Late Om Sibu of Badpada, Nayakot, Kendrapada
- Late Subojit Sahu of Kalpana Square, Bhubaneswar
- Late Krishna Chandra Mahabhoi of CRPF Campus, Bhubaneswar
- Late Sanjukta Patra of Sadha, Hatadih, Keonjhar
- Late Pratyush Panigarhi of Abhana, Devendrapur, Balasore
- Late Kahnu Nayak of Radhakantpur, Khurda
- Late Birendra Prasad Swain of Redhua, Raghunathpur, Jagatsinghpur
The Suraj Award, named in honor of late Suraj Behera, commemorates the voluntary organ donation by Suraj’s parents, who donated their deceased son’s organs to save another person’s life. This act of compassion has greatly promoted voluntary organ donation in Odisha. The state government has been awarding the Suraj Award annually on World Organ Donation Day to honor both individual donors and institutions that promote organ donation.
In a further tribute to these selfless acts, the last rites of the deceased donors are performed with full state honors, underscoring the deep respect and gratitude owed to these heroes and their families for their contributions to saving lives.