Dadhichi organ donation pledge seminar in Haridwar
Garhwal Post Bureau
HARIDWAR, 27 Jun: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday described organ donation as the highest form of human service. Addressing a national seminar organised at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Shantikunj, Haridwar, under the Dadhichi Organ Donation pledge campaign, Nadda asserted that organ donation has the power to offer a new lease of life to critically ill patients awaiting transplants. He called for greater public awareness about organ donation from both scientific and spiritual perspectives while emphasising the need to transform the movement into a nationwide people’s campaign through active public participation. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was also present on the occasion.
The programme witnessed participation from medical experts, healthcare professionals, social workers, academicians, spiritual leaders and volunteers from across the country. Hundreds of participants also pledged to donate their organs in the interest of humanity.
Nadda claimed that the Government of India is continuously working to make healthcare services more accessible, effective and people-centric. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed wide-ranging reforms in the health sector, he said, adding that institutional mechanisms have been strengthened at the national level to streamline organ donation and transplantation services while States are also being encouraged to activate and expand their organ donation networks. He observed that increasing awareness had led to a steady rise in organ donations across the country and expressed confidence that sustained public participation could convert the initiative into a mass movement.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dhami said India’s Sanatan tradition is deeply rooted in the timeless values of sacrifice, dedication, selfless service and public welfare. Referring to the legendary sacrifice of Maharishi Dadhichi, he said the sage had donated even his bones for the protection of humanity and righteousness, setting an unparalleled example of selflessness. He also cited the story of King Shibi, who willingly sacrificed a part of his own body to save a bird, describing it as a reflection of the compassion and altruism embedded in Indian civilisation.
Dhami said that if any organ of a deceased person can save the life of another individual, there can’t be any greater act of human welfare as compared to organ donation. He stressed that organ donation represents the highest expression of compassion and social responsibility and should become an integral part of public consciousness. The CM said the Central government has undertaken historic initiatives to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and extend quality medical services to the last person through programmes such as Ayushman Bharat. He added that Uttarakhand is also making sustained efforts to reinforce its healthcare system and develop a robust organ donation and transplantation ecosystem.
Dhami also claimed that the State government is taking necessary steps to strengthen organ donation and transplantation facilities through better coordination among government and private hospitals, the administration, police, transport authorities and other related institutions. As part of these efforts, work is underway to establish the State’s first Government Tissue Transplant Centre at Doon Medical College. The Government is also developing a network of organ transplant centres, organ banks and district-level organ donation centres to ensure the timely availability of organs for patients in need.
Dhami also lauded the Gayatri Parivar for its century-long contribution towards promoting spiritual awareness, moral values and social consciousness. He said Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya had successfully combined spiritual philosophy with scientific thinking and presented it in a manner that was easily understood by the common people. His inspirational message, “Hum Badlenge To Yug Badlega”, continues to motivate society towards positive transformation, the Chief Minister added.
Presiding over the seminar, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya Chinmay Pandya, described Yagya as the backbone of Indian culture. He said Yagya is not merely a religious ritual but a way of life that inspires sacrifice, cooperation, a sense of duty and commitment to public welfare. According to him, dedicating one’s time, labour and resources for the betterment of society embodies the true spirit of Yagya.
During the seminar, Disaster Management Minister Madan Kaushik, Ramakrishna Mission Secretary Swami Dayamurtyanand, Dr Anil Kumar, Padma Shri awardee Nilesh Mandlewala and Dr Vijay Dhasmana, among other experts, shared their views on the scientific, social and legal dimensions of organ donation. Acharyas of Shantikunj administered the organ donation pledge to participants amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns.
Lal Batti holder Om Prakash Jamdagni, Meenu Singh, senior administrative officers, doctors, journalists, eminent citizens and spiritual seekers from different parts of the country were also present on the occasion.
