A Pune farmer has undertaken a 100-day motorcycle tour to spread awareness about organ donation. Through his ‘Bharat Organ Yatra’, Pramod Mahajan plans to cover at least 10,000 km across the country by the end of his trip.
Hailing from the city of Sangli in Maharashtra, the 67-year-old reached Mumbai on Monday, 22 October, the second day of his journey, for a press conference, a report in The Times of India said. He began his journey from Shaniwarwada in Pune, according to Hindustan Times.
Mahajan was received in Parel by the the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), and Mohan Foundation, an NGO that pioneers in organ donation and transplants.
The tour has been organised by an NGO named Rebirth. Ganesh Bakale, founder of Rebirth, spoke about Mahajan’s awareness drive:
“Mahajan will continue to spread the message of organ donation on his journey across the country. He aims to educate people and wants them to come forward and donate. Mahajan, who also loves riding motorcycles, has never been on a journey that involves riding and covering many states. He rode a motorbike across his district.”
Mahajan will cover 100 km every day.
“Given his age, it was suggested that he (Mahajan) should cover 100 km everyday, which he agreed to. He will be supported by other biker groups that have come forward to support this cause.”Ganesh Bakale, Founder, Rebirth
Through this attempt, Mahajan seeks to tell his story of organ donation, and hopes that people will see he has not suffered after donating his kidney.
“I was healthy after my operation at the Bombay Hospital and faced no side effects (of donating organs). I now want to give back to my nation through this journey.”Mahajan, as quoted by The Times of India
While speaking about donating his kidney, the 67-year-old also added that he was happy to be a donor. He added:
“The man who received my kidney is now married, has two children and has had 16 more years added to his life. I cannot be more happy to be a donor.”
(With inputs from The Times of India, Hindustan Times)
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