Nagaon couple’s organ donation pledge inspires community, felicitated by MLA

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 18, 2025

In a remarkable act of compassion, Nagaon residents Gautam Chandra Saha (64) and his wife Soma Saha (56) have pledged to donate their organs and tissues after death through the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). Their decision aligns with the Union government’s nationwide campaign, “Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan,” aimed at promoting organ donation across the country.

The couple was felicitated by MLA Rupak Sarmah at an event organized by the NGO Touch of Humanity at the District Library Auditorium. The recognition highlights how community-driven initiatives are becoming central to India’s organ donation movement.

Gautam Chandra Saha, proprietor of a wholesale medicine dealership, and his wife Soma, a homemaker, have pledged to donate all viable organs and tissues—including the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, skin, bone, and corneas. Their pledge has been formally registered with NOTTO, the apex body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), which oversees organ and tissue donations nationwide.

The Sahas’ decision comes at a time when India faces an acute shortage of organ donors. The country’s organ donation rate stands at just 0.5 donors per million population, far behind the 30+ donors per million recorded in several Western nations. Experts note that one deceased donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation, while tissue donations such as corneas and skin can vastly improve the quality of life for many more.

The ongoing “Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan (2025-26)” seeks to close this gap by spreading awareness, countering misconceptions, and inspiring citizens to pledge their organs. Acts like the Sahas’ send a powerful social message that organ donation is not only a gift of life but also a lasting legacy of humanity.

Speaking at the felicitation, community members emphasized that the Sahas’ pledge should encourage others to voluntarily step forward. Their decision reflects a profound commitment to society, turning a deeply personal choice into a collective appeal for compassion, courage, and civic responsibility.

As India strives to expand its organ donation network, the example set by Gautam and Soma Saha stands as a beacon of hope—reminding us that the gift of life can outlast one’s own.