Chandigarh : 19 December Encouraged by the success of student engagement program, ‘Be The Change, Be An Organ Donor’ in other educational institutions, Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO) PGIMER took the Organ Donation Awareness Drive to Govt. Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 15-C under the project and organized an infotainment session for the NSS volunteers during the ongoing NSS camp in the school premises here today.
Complimenting the initiative undertaken by ROTTO PGIMER, Mrs. Neena Kalia, Principal, GMSSS Sector 15-C, shared, “The ideology of the NSS is to promote a humanitarian spirit and nothing can instil a better feeling of love for humanity than being instrumental in saving someone’s life. This is an altruistic cause and we must orient the students about this national endeavour.” The Principal also proposed to make this campaign a part of other student engagement activities as well.
The Infotainment Session attended by over 100 senior students and teachers witnessed an enthusiastic response with many expressing interest to volunteer for the promotion of the cause.
Enthused with the positive gesture showcased by the students, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Acting Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, stated, “It is a social responsibility and we all must join hands and synergize to make the National Programme on Organ Donation a success It is really thoughtful of GMSSS, Sector 15-C for having taken this initiative. The school has not only highlighted the need to talk about the cause among the students but also set an example for other institutions to follow.”
A painting competition was also organised as a part of the event wherein using colours and crayons, the senior students showcased their best painting skills. But this time they painted not for the art’s sake, but to give expression to their creative potential for a very noble cause of ‘Organ Donation’. Sunaina, Priti and Suman, all from 12th Class, bagged the awards for their most expressive and aesthetically appealing paintings.
Expressing his sentiments, Mr. Sukhpreet Singh, NSS Coordinator, GMSSS Sector 15-C said, “Encouraging participation from the students to inculcate awareness among family members for Organ Donation is a welcome step as students can act as ‘change agents.”
Prior to the Painting Competition, Ms Nilakshi Sharma, Transplant Coordinator, ROTTO PGIMER imparted awareness about the concept and underpinned the need for public education to bridge the gap between patients who need organs and potential organ donors. Organ donation is considered to be a true ‘Gift of Life’ because it enables one to give ‘second lease of life’ to many critically ill patients in dire need of organ transplant, Nilakshi stressed.
The awareness talk was followed by showcasing of a documentary on success story of an organ recipient, who underwent transplant seven years back here at PGIMER, The documentary triggered an extremely engaging discussion and experience sharing by the participants on the subject.
The students as well as teachers found the session an enriching experience and shared that they would disseminate information and motivate their family members to pledge for organ donation.
