Odisha Honours 24 Organ Donors with ‘Suraj Award’ on World Organ Donation Day

Bhubaneswar, Aug 13 : On the occasion of World Organ Donation Day, the Odisha government posthumously honoured 24 organ donors with the prestigious ‘Suraj Award’, recognising their life-saving contributions and the courage of their families.

Speaking at the event, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling described organ donation as “a higher order of noble act” that has brought both life to others and national recognition to Odisha as an emerging state in organ donation.

The award, instituted in memory of late Suraj Behera whose parents pioneered voluntary organ donation awareness in the state, carries ₹5 lakh for each bereaved family. Since 2020, it has been conferred annually on August 13 to honour donors and organisations promoting the cause.

Secretary Health and Family Welfare Aswathy S. lauded the humanitarian spirit of donors and their families, noting that one organ donor can save up to eight lives, while tissue donation can help around 50 people.

Among those honoured were late donors from across districts including Jharsuguda, Nayagarh, Khordha, Kendrapara, Balasore, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Bhadrak, and others.

The ceremony was marked by emotional tributes and state honours for the donors, reaffirming Odisha’s commitment to promoting organ donation as a means of saving lives and spreading hope.