6^th World Organ Donation Day falls on 27^th November 2010.  MOHAN Foundation (Multi Organ Harvesting Aid Network) organised a special curtain-raiser event to mark this special day- an intercollegiate Short film & Ad spot competition, “Take 2, Give a 2^nd Chance at Life!”, on the theme of organ donation on 25th November 2010.

Dr. Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee of MOHAN Foundation, in his Welcome  address said “Television today is very powerful in its reach. We felt that a competition such as this would enable young people to use their creative skills and raise awareness about organ donation through this medium.”

Mr.V.K.Subburaj I.A.S., Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He said that the successful cadaver transplantation programme in the state had made people aware about the need for organs. In fact, nearly, 100,000 people were in need of a kidney transplant. He felicitated the families of deceased organ donors – the “Real Heroes” of the occasion.

He also felicitated Prof. J. Mohanasundaram, Dean Madras Medical College who took the initiative to sign an MoU with MOHAN Foundation to place grief counsellors in the Government General Hospital. Long-time supporter of MOHAN Foundation Vummidi Saroja Guruswami was also felicitated.

Mr. P.W.C. Davidar, I.A.S., Principal Secretary, Information Technology, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, released the 30^th issue of the Indian Transplant Newsletter published by MOHAN Foundation. He then delivered the presidential address in which he said that the noble gesture of the families of the deceased organ donors should be commended.

Dr. V. Kanagasabai, Director of Medical Education, was the Guest of Honour at the event. He said that the deceased organ donation programme should now be taken to other places in Tamil Nadu, and he was sure that the success in Chennai could be replicated there.

Celebrated director, Mr. Rajiv Menon, extended his support to this competition. Earlier, his film institute, Mindscreen, conducted a free workshop for the students to explain to them the nuances of filming a social message such as organ donation. Mr. Menon said that when the cause is good, one needs to support it. He added that the proactive policies of the government and the work of NGOs like MOHAN Foundation had contributed to the success of the deceased organ donation programme in Tamil Nadu.

The competition received an enthusiastic response from colleges within the city.  The experts from Mindscreen said that some of the concepts were unique. The first prize in the short film category went to Dayalraj and his team from Hindustan College of Arts and Science. Dayalraj has encountered tragedy up close and personal; he lost his brother in an accident. Showing exemplary courage, Dayalraj’s family went on to donate the young man’s eyes. Vijayan from Govt. Fine Arts College took home the second prize in this category and Vishnu Kumar from Hindu College the third prize.

The first prize in the Ad spot category went to Sugeeth and team from Chennai Film School. The second and third prize winners were Santhosh from Anna University and Arunraj from Tagore Engineering College respectively.