Padma Shri award

Surat's Nilesh Mandlewala has become a household name for his transformative work in organ donation.

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Nilesh Mandlewala: the lifesaver

Surat's Nilesh Mandlewala has become a household name for his transformative work in organ donation. Inspired by his father’s battle with kidney failure, Mandlewala founded ‘Donate Life’ in 2014. As of January 2026, his initiative has facilitated the donation of 1,366 organs and tissues, offering a new lease of life to over 1,250 people across the world. His efforts proved particularly crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he ensured lifesaving transplants continued despite nationwide lockdowns.

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