AP: ASR Homeopathic Medical College marks Independence Day with Plantation drive , Organ donation Awareness
Tadepalligudem (Andhra Pradesh), Aug 15 (TNT): ASR Homeopathic Medical College (ASRHMC) celebrated the 80th Independence Day on Saturday with a plantation drive and an organ donation awareness programme, combining patriotic observance with social-service initiatives.
The programme began with the unfurling of the National Flag by Principal Prof. Dr Ananda Kumar Pingali, followed by the National Anthem.
Vice-Principal Dr D. Durendra Kumar, Prof. Dr Ananda Rao Sanapala, faculty members, students and interns participated in the celebrations.
In association with the Umar Alisha Rural Development Trust (UARDT), ASRHMC organised a plantation drive on its campus with the support of Dr Lakshmi Janaki and Dr Hanumantha Rao.
As many as 125 fruit-bearing and flowering saplings, aged three to four years, were planted as part of the initiative.
An Organ Donation Awareness Programme was subsequently held at the college seminar hall on the occasion of the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day and as part of the national “Jug Jug Jiyo Abhiyaan” campaign.
The programme was jointly organised by ASRHMC, UARDT and the Savitribai Phule Educational and Charitable Trust.
Addressing the gathering, Principal Pingali said ASRHMC was committed to serving the rural population of West Godavari district through its medical services, including specialty OPDs at the college and 10 peripheral OPDs across the district.
Chief guest Dr Guduru Seetha Mahalakshmi, founder of the Savitribai Phule Educational and Charitable Trust and the All India Organ Donation Foundation, spoke on the importance of body and organ donation and shared her experiences in promoting the cause.
She said 180 donated bodies had so far been delivered to hospitals, benefiting more than 1,500 people through organ donations, while around 500 medical students every year used donated bodies for medical studies and tests.
More than 30,000 people had pledged to donate their bodies and organs, she said.
Dr Seetha Mahalakshmi appealed to people to overcome superstitions and hesitation and come forward to pledge their bodies and organs for the benefit of others.
TNT KM
