‘Vardaan’ Film Festival Highlights Organ Donation as the Most Sacred Way of Giving Life After Life
Delhi Government to Promote Organ Donation Awareness Through Art and Cinema
New Delhi, 26 February 2026
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended the ‘Vardaan’ Film Festival on Thursday and emphasised that organ donation is not merely a medical procedure but the greatest gift of giving new life to another human being. She stated that a pledge taken by one individual can bring a new ray of hope to several families and described organ donation as the highest form of service to humanity.
The festival was organised by Dadhichi Deh Dan Samiti and was attended by Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Om Prakash Sharma of Vishwas Nagar, Padma Shri awardee actor Manoj Joshi, Narendra Thakur, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Alok Kumar, Patron of the Samiti, Mahesh Pant, President of the Samiti, and other distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that raising awareness about sensitive subjects such as organ and body donation through art and cinema is both inspiring and socially transformative. She observed that such initiatives promote progressive thinking and strengthen the spirit of compassion, service, and dedication towards humanity.
Referring to national efforts, she said that the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make organ donation a mass movement continues to guide the nation. She added that more citizens should draw inspiration from this appeal and actively associate themselves with the noble cause.
Highlighting institutional mechanisms, the Chief Minister noted that at the national level, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation has been working to streamline and facilitate organ donation across the country. She pointed out that Delhi earlier lacked a structured and official mechanism dedicated exclusively to this cause. Recognising this gap, the Delhi Government established the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation Delhi, which now functions as a comprehensive platform for citizens willing to pledge their organs.
She informed that since September, more than 800 individuals have registered on the SOTTO platform, reflecting increasing awareness and willingness among residents. However, she stressed that sustained and widespread public awareness campaigns remain essential to normalise organ donation and encourage greater participation.
The Chief Minister appealed to attendees to educate themselves about organ donation and to spread awareness within their communities. She reiterated that organ donation is the most sacred way of giving life even after one’s own lifetime and represents the purest expression of humanity.
Praising the consistent efforts of Dadhichi Deh Dan Samiti, she said that the dedication of its volunteers has significantly contributed to spreading awareness over the years. She expressed confidence that promoting the message of organ donation through art, films, and cultural platforms like the ‘Vardaan’ Film Festival would help transform the cause into a genuine people’s movement across the Capital and the country.
