“EVERY MINUTE A LIFE IS LOST WITHOUT AN ORGAN DONOR,” SAYS ROTARIAN LAL GOEL AT GYAN MAHAVIDYALAYA ANNUAL DAY PROGRAM
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV+91 98441 82044
Aligarh, February 28 – Organ donation awareness took center stage at the Annual Day celebrations of Gyan Mahavidyalaya, Aligarh. Rotarian Lal Goel, Founder and Charter President of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International and Chairman of the Organ Donation India Foundation & GYAN, attended as Chief Guest and Resource Person. He inspired students and faculty to become advocates for this life-saving cause.
The programme began with Rotarian PHF Ritika Gupta, Inspire President, who gave an insightful overview of the formation, vision, and global outreach of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International. She highlighted its mission to promote organ donation awareness and encourage people to pledge their organs.
Delivering the keynote address, Rotarian Lal Goel stressed the urgent need to strengthen organ donation awareness in India. He pointed out that every minute a life is lost in the country due to the lack of available donor organs. He emphasised the critical gap between the demand and supply of organs.
He also shared a significant policy achievement through sustained advocacy. Rotarian Lal Goel explained that after his representations to Hon’ble Dr CV Anand Bose, IAS, then a One Man Expert Commission on Labour, Government of India, who is now the Governor of West Bengal, the issue was raised with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. As a result, the financial coverage for organ transplantation under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹15 lakh for patients below the poverty line (BPL).
This enhancement has made life-saving organ transplants much more accessible to thousands of economically disadvantaged patients across India. He urged students to become “brand ambassadors of organ donation” and actively spread awareness in their communities.
A touching moment in the event was when Rotarian couple Sunil and Regina Gupta, visiting from Sunnyvale, California, USA, shared their personal experiences. Speaking as a kidney donor and recipient, they explained that even 15 years after the transplant, both continue to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Rotarian Regina Gupta also discussed advances in laparoscopic kidney donation. She explained that this minimally invasive procedure—performed through small incisions—significantly reduces post-operative pain and enables donors to recover much faster than with traditional open surgery.
Adding a creative touch, students from Gyan Mahavidyalaya presented a thought-provoking skit on organ donation. They also performed colourful cultural acts that captivated the audience.
During the event, the Chief Guest Rotarian Lal Goel and other dignitaries unveiled the college’s research journal and annual magazine. They also presented awards to meritorious students for their academic excellence.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Rotarian PHF Deepak Goel, Foundation Chair (2026–27) and Chairman of the college.
Among the notable dignitaries present were Rotarian MPHF Dr Gautam Goel, CEO Mr Narendra Gautam, Manager Mr Manoj Yadav, Principal Dr Sonali Gupta, Vice Principal Dr Hiresh Goel, Executive Officer Dr Lalit Upadhyay, and Dr S. K. Gaur, President of Dadhichi Dehdaan Samiti. Faculty members and a large enthusiastic crowd of students were also present.
Expressing appreciation for the initiative, Rotarian Lal Goel expressed confidence that programs like this among young students would strengthen the organ donation movement in India. He believes these efforts will inspire society to save countless lives through the noble act of organ donation.
