Aligarh ,March 2
In a significant first for Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), a dedicated Organ Donation Awareness Programme was organised on campus, marking a historic moment in the institution’s 150-year legacy.
The event, led by Rotarian Lal Goel, is being described as a transformative step towards strengthening public health awareness and advancing India’s organ donation movement.
The programme was spearheaded by Rotarian Lal Goel, Founder and Charter President of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International and Chairman of the Organ Donation India Foundation and GYAN.
His initiative brought together university administrators, faculty members, students, and Rotary representatives to engage in a focused dialogue on organ donation and its life-saving impact.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, Lal Goel delivered an impassioned speech aimed at dispelling long-standing myths surrounding organ donation.
He directly addressed the misconception that Islam prohibits organ donation, citing a verse from the Holy Quran: “Whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all mankind.”
Emphasising that faith supports the preservation of life, he argued that the real barriers to organ donation are not religious, but stem from lack of awareness and social hesitation.
Drawing global comparisons, Goel noted that Saudi Arabia records an organ donation rate of 43 per million population (PMP), while India’s rate remains critically low at 0.65 PMP. “The issue is not religion; it is awareness, proactive commitment, and societal will,” he said, urging students to become ambassadors of change.
Guest of Honour Rotarian PHF Deepak Goel highlighted Rotary International’s global achievements, particularly its historic role in polio eradication, and outlined the expanding mission of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International in promoting life-saving awareness campaigns across communities.
Prof. Malik Shoeb Ahmad, also a Guest of Honour, described the programme as a meaningful beginning and expressed hope that it would evolve into a sustained and impactful movement within AMU and beyond.
One of the most moving segments of the event was the testimony of Rotarian Sunil Gupta, a kidney transplant recipient, and his wife, Rotarian Regina Gupta, who donated her kidney 15 years ago.
Sunil Gupta shared that he now leads a fully active life—swimming, scuba diving, exercising regularly, and working long hours—underscoring how transplantation restores not just survival, but quality of life. Regina Gupta recalled that she never hesitated in her decision; her only thought was to ensure her husband would live to see their young daughter grow up, a reflection that left many in the audience visibly emotional.
In recognition of his contributions to organ donation advocacy, Dr Mohammad Mohsin Khan, Coordinator of the National Service Scheme (NSS) at AMU, presented a memento to Lal Goel.
Expressing gratitude, Goel thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Deans, faculty members, NSS volunteers, and students for their participation, noting that the programme’s conduct during the sacred month of Ramzan made the message of saving lives even more meaningful.
The event concluded with the University Tarana followed by the National Anthem. Conducted by Dr Fauzia Faridi, the programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large gathering of students, faculty, and distinguished guests.
With its first-ever dedicated organ donation awareness initiative, AMU has set the stage for what organisers hope will grow into a sustained movement—one aimed at bridging India’s organ donation gap and inspiring a new generation to pledge the gift of life.
