On the occasion of Maharashtra Organ Donation Day on 27th March 2015, the municipal commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mr. Sitaram Kunte pledged to donate his organs. Other guests present at the event including Dr. Suhasini Nagda, Director (Medical Education) at Nair Hospital and additional commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh also pledged to donate their organs.

Explaining the significance of Maharashtra Organ Donation Day Dr. Nagda said, “We celebrate this day as we want people to be aware about the need to donate their organs for the benefit of others. Today the demand for organs is more than the supply and we have to do our best to bridge this gap.” She then highlighted the events that would be conducted this year. “This year BMC is planning 150 awareness programmes across its hospitals and also efforts are being made towards a schematic approach in increasing cadaver identification and certification through MCGM Organ Transplant Organisation (MOTO),” she said.

Signing the Donor Card, Mr. Kunte commented, “I am happy to announce that I will be donating my organs. I hope we can reduce resistance towards this initiative due to certain cultural and religious beliefs and would encourage others to join this initiative.”