MOHAN Foundation celebrated 27 years of saving lives through a unique “METRO RETRO -RAMP WALK FOR A CAUSE” wherein luminaries from various walks of life walked the ramp in Ameerpet Metro Station, showcased their support for the cause of organ donation on June 15, 2024. Prominent doctors, celebrities, transplant recipients, and donor families walked the ramp to create awareness about organ donation.

Popular Tollywood actor Mr. Vishwak Sen, was the Chief Guest at the event, and he pledged to donate organs.  This event was held in partnership with L&T Metro Rail, Hyderabad.

Mr. Vishwak Sen flashed his “Donor Card” and sin­cerely appealed to everyone to pledge for organ donation. He saluted all the transplant coordinators who spoke to the family during their darkest hour of grief and highly appreciated the activities of the MOHAN Foundation. Among the luminaries who walked the ramp was Dr. Prashant Garg. Chairperson of L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, along with his wife, Mrs. Parul Garg.

Ms. Malina, Model from the South India, also walked the ramp.  Dr. Manisha Sahay, a nephrologist at Osmania Hospital, Mrs. Gayatri Bhargavi a talented actress, along with her husband, Col. Vikram Subramanyam, walked the ramp and their entire family also walked the ramp strongly advocating the cause of eye and organ donation. 

Mrs. Sameera Bharadwaj a Telugu playback singer. Captivated the audiences with her melodious voice. 

Mr. Sailesh, Cine Director along with his wife Swati, along with their cute son, Abhay, walked the ramp.  They are silent supporters of the cause of organ donation. 

Mrs. Meera Shenoy, Founder of Youth4Jobs, who is passionate about her work of transforming marginalized youth and youth with disabilities by training them and linking them to sustained livelihoods, walked the ramp to endorse organ donation. 

Dr. Swarnalatha Guditi a Professor and Head of the Department of Nephrology at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, and also in charge of the Jeevandan program in Telangana, walked the ramp. 

Mr. Swastik Bihani and his wife, Raina, and daughter, Sanika walked the ramp.  Mr. Swastik Bihani is currently the MD and Country Head of a US-based company in healthcare technology called GHX. His wife, Raina, has worked in various roles involving the launch of new products and markets at Google. Their 16-year-old daughter, Sanika Bihani, is a fervent advocate of organ donation. She has conducted many presentations on organ donations and educated more than 15,000 people about organ donation. She is interning with the MOHAN Foundation and is trying to influence policy changes that will help people sign up as organ donors.

Ms. Madhavi Siddam is a renowned media personality with over 18 years of experience as a newsreader, presenter, and health correspondent. She endorsed organ donation by walking the ramp. 

Ms. Vyjayanti,a courageous transwoman, who advocates for transgender rights and inclusion that has inspired many, making her a respected voice in the community, strongly advocated for organ donation.

Ms. Harshini Mekala, an artist and a Transwoman walked the ramp and spoke eloquently about organ donation. 

Ms. Gundra Rosy, the Founder of the Sankalp Foundation, who has been campaigning and educating orphans and disadvantaged children since 2003 walked the ramp. 

Dr. Mohammed Moiz Lalani is a pulmonary and critical care physician at KIMS Hospital Institute of Heart and Lung Transplantation along with his colleagues walked the ramp. 

Ms. Shaista, a kidney transplant recipient from Gandhi Hospital proudly showed off her placard that says, “I received a kidney, thanks to an angel”. 

Mr. Mohan Nishtala, walked the ramp along with his daughter-in-law, Poulomi. Mr. Mohan donated his wife's Lakshmi’s organs in 2013 and saved seven lives.

Mr. Srinagesh, who received a heart transplant a year ago, proudly demonstrated the placard which read, “I received a Heart, thanks to an angel”.

The MOHAN Foundation team from different parts of the country participated in the Ramp Walk.  The Founder and Managing Trustee, Dr. Sunil Shroff introduced the various team members and spoke very proudly about their contribution.  Later, he along with his wife, walked the ramp. 

Ms. Pallavi Kumar (Executive Director - Delhi-NCR) and incharge of Manipur State program, walked the ramp wearing the Manipuri Phanek.  Mrs. Bhavna Jagwani, Convener, MFJCF Jaipur, and Trustee of MOHAN Foundation walked the ramp wearing the colourful Rajasthani Poshak.  Mrs. Jaya Jairam Project Director, Mumbai, walked the ramp wearing the Maharashtrian Nauvari saree.  Dr. Hemal Kanvinde Quality Assurance Officer, wore the Maharashtrian attire and enthusiastically walked the ramp.  Mrs. Sujatha Suriyamoorthi, Associate Director – Courses, walked the ramp wearing a Kerala Kasavu.

Finally, the Hyderabad team, walked the ramp along with Mrs. Lalitha Raghuram, Country Director, and her husband Mr. Raghuram.  Mr. Raghuram proudly flashed the placard which read “We donated our son’s organs, our son is a Hero”.   

27 luminaries walked the ramp, and 500 people were in the audience, including print and electronic media. All the luminaries took the pledge to save lives, which will go a long way in saving lives.