Vande Bharat’s first organ run delivers heart of hope in Ahmedabad
A migrant worker from Odisha became India's first organ donor to have a heart transported via the Vande Bharat Express. The successful operation involved a coordinated effort between the Indian Railways and Gujarat authorities to overcome weather-related transport challenges.
Why it matters
This event demonstrates the potential for high-speed rail infrastructure to serve as a critical logistical link for time-sensitive medical procedures in India.
BHUBANESWAR/BERHAMPUR: One life ended. Four others got a second chance. A heart raced against time aboard a Vande Bharat Express, turning a migrant worker’s final act of kindness into a milestone for India’s organ transplant programme.Mithun Swain, 36, a textile mill worker from Odisha’s Ganjam district, became the country’s first organ donor whose heart was transported aboard a Vande Bharat train for a life-saving transplant. The railways ministry called it “a heartbeat of hope, delivered on time”, describing it as a landmark made possible through seamless coordination between the railways and Gujarat govt.A resident of Kalakhandi village under Sorada block, Mithun had worked in Surat for nearly two decades. He fell ill on July 28 after losing movement in his left arm and leg.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in