"It is in giving, that we receive," quoted St Francis. The greatest gift is the gift of life. In order to promote this ideology among school students, a unique online event was organized to commemorate World Organ Donation Day. The event, FORTE ’20, was themed ‘Organ Donation – the Gift that Heals’ and was conducted from August 3rd-10th 2020. The idea was conceived and implemented by Ms. Bhavana Akhilan, a grade 12 student of Saraswathi Vidyalaya, Vadapalani, Chennai, interning with the Foundation.

Poster making and poetry writing were open to Children in Grades 6-8 in the junior category, while the seniors in Grades 9-12 participated in essay writing, photography, documentary and short film making. Students from many parts of the country took part, the majority being from Tamil Nadu and Odisha. The topics for all the events revolved around the central theme. It was encouraging to receive over a hundred entries, considering that the word was spread only through social media.

The entries received were judged based on originality, creativity and relevance. Every single entry was unique. All the students had captured their perspectives beautifully. The posters and photographs seemed truly professional. The poems and essays exceeded expectations. Above all, it was wonderful to see the awareness among teenagers about organ donation.

The prizes were sponsored by MGM Hospitals Group, famous for its work concerning heart transplants. The prize winners were awarded a Certificate of Merit and Gift Cards. All participants were awarded a Certificate of Participation. Positive feedback from participants enhanced the entire experience and made it all the more enriching and rewarding. MOHAN Foundation is happy to be associated with such young, inspiring minds to take the cause forward.