The landmark campaign was spearheaded by Rotarian Lal Goel, Founder & Charter President of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International and Chairman of the Organ Donation India Foundation
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
Aligarh, February 28 — A historic milestone was achieved at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, as Rotarian Lal Goel led the institution’s first-ever dedicated Organ Donation Awareness Programme. In the University’s illustrious 150-year history, this marked the first initiative exclusively focused on organ donation — setting a transformative precedent for public health advocacy in the region.
The landmark campaign was spearheaded by Rotarian Lal Goel, Founder & Charter President of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International and Chairman of the Organ Donation India Foundation & GYAN, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to strengthening India’s organ donation movement through education, dialogue, and community leadership.
Guest of Honour Rotarian PHF Deepak Goel highlighted Rotary International’s historic achievement in the global eradication of polio and shared insights into the mission and growing impact of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International in promoting life-saving awareness across communities.
Guest of Honour Prof. Malik Shoeb Ahmad described the programme as a meaningful beginning and expressed hope that it would evolve into a sustained, impactful organ donation awareness movement within AMU and beyond.
Speaking as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, Rotarian Lal Goel delivered a deeply inspiring address that resonated profoundly with students and faculty alike. He firmly dispelled the misconception that Islam opposes organ donation, citing the Holy Quranic verse:
“Whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all mankind.”
He further strengthened his message by presenting global comparisons — noting that Saudi Arabia, an Islamic nation, has achieved an organ donation rate of 43 per million population (PMP). In contrast, India’s rate remains critically low at 0.65 PMP. He emphasised that religion is not the barrier — awareness, proactive commitment, and societal will are.
The most moving moment of the programme came with the heartfelt testimony of Rotarian Sunil Gupta, a kidney transplant recipient, and his wife, Rotarian Regina Gupta, who donated her kidney to save his life 15 years ago.
Rotarian Sunil Gupta shared that he now leads a completely normal and active life — swimming, scuba diving, exercising regularly, and working full 12-hour days — powerfully demonstrating that organ transplantation restores not just life, but quality of life.
Rotarian Regina Gupta emotionally recalled that she did not hesitate even for a moment in her decision. Her only thought was to ensure her husband would live to witness the milestones of their nine-year-old daughter. Her courage and conviction left many in the audience visibly moved.
In recognition of his exceptional service to humanity and relentless advocacy for organ donation, Dr Mohammad Mohsin Khan, Coordinator, NSS, Aligarh Muslim University, presented a memento to Rotarian Lal Goel.
Rotarian Lal Goel expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Deans, distinguished faculty members, NSS volunteers, and students for their attentive participation — made even more meaningful as the programme was conducted during the sacred month of Ramzan.
The historic event concluded with the University Tarana followed by the National Anthem. The programme was conducted with distinction by Dr Fauzia Faridi and witnessed the presence of a large and engaged gathering of students, faculty, and distinguished guests.
This landmark initiative at AMU is not merely an event — it is the beginning of a movement.
