The Officers Training Academy of National Cadet Corps at Kamptee, Nagpur District organized for the third time. The Organ Donation Awareness Program was conducted on 17^th November 2016. The Commandant of OTA Major General N.S. Rao invited Sqn Ldr (Retd) Dr. Ravi Wankhede Head of MOHAN Foundation Nagpur Center and newly inducted Secretary of Zonal Transplant Coordination Center, Government of Maharashtra, to deliver the talk on the subject. Earlier he was welcomed & introduced by Major Maibam Ning Them Instructor of the Academy.

Dr. Ravi Wankhede delivered the talk through a PPT, starting with an audio-clipping of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking about the important subject. Dr. Wankhede stressed on the need to be aware of the subject, as it has a large bearing to bring succor to millions who suffer from organ failure and have no chance of survival other than by the required organ. Dr. Wankhede explained about the legal, social, historical, religious and medical conditions which has a backing for organ transplantation. He explained that organs and tissues can be donated while living and after natural and brain death. He explained brain death through a short video clipping, a condition which would never be reversed. He said several organs and tissue can be donated after brain death, which is a permanent and irreversible condition. He also gave the reasons of brain death such as head injury following road traffic accidents, bleeding in the brain, tumours of brain, etc. Dr. Wankhede explained that such patients when admitted are supported by ventilator which helps the lungs and heart to beat for a few to sometimes several hours. If after hospitalization the brain dies, several organs and tissues could be donated to help save as many lives. He said after death, the body is either cremated or buried. So, prior to this the organs could be donated, which would give the relatives of the brain dead patients some solace that their near and dear ones have helped several people to live.

Dr. Wankhede said that the first step of organ donation is to pledge by filling the organ donor form and get an organ donor card. This card would be the first step towards organ and tissue donation by the pledger. Dr. Wankhede said he would be leaving the pamphlets and pledge forms with the Training Instructor from whom the same could be collected and pledge form submitted to the MOHAN Foundation office.

There were several questions asked after the session, which were answered by Dr. Ravi Wankhede. Present on the occasion were Major Uday Singh Rana officer i/c Course and Major Manoj Uniyal. Brigadier S B Singh the Deputy Commandant thanked Dr. Ravi Wankhede for his continued efforts in helping to spread awareness of organ donation amongst the trainee officers from various parts of the country, who would in turn spread it to their cadets.