YOUTH CAN CHANGE INDIA’S MINDSET TOWARDS ORGAN DONATION: ROTARIAN LAL GOEL
by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
Rotary Club of Organ Donation International Conducts Awareness Programme at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, September 30, 2026: “The youth have the power to change the mindset of their parents and elders towards organ donation. If every young person takes responsibility for spreading awareness, India can save thousands of lives waiting for an organ transplant,” said Rotarian Lal Goel, Founder & Charter President of Rotary Club of Organ Donation International and Chairman of Organ Donation India Foundation & GYAN.
Rotarian Lal Goel was the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at an Organ Donation Awareness Programme organised by Rotary Club of Bombay Powai (RID 3141) and Rotary Club of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar East (RID 3132), in association with Rotary Club of Organ Donation International, at the International Centre of Excellence in Engineering & Management (ICEEM), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Addressing students, faculty members, Rotarians and dignitaries, Rotarian Goel stressed the urgent need to increase deceased organ donation in India and address the growing transplant waiting list through greater public awareness. He said organ donation reflects the values of compassion, charity and saving human life found across religions.
“Do not wait for someone else to change the mindset. You, the youth, can become the change-makers. Start the conversation at home and encourage your parents and elders to understand that organ donation is an opportunity to give the gift of life,” he appealed.
Rotarian Lal Goel also announced that Rotary Club of Organ Donation International would assist eligible economically weaker patients in exploring financial assistance under the Government of Maharashtra’s AB-PMJAY and MJPJAY schemes for organ transplantation, with assistance potentially extending up to ₹22 lakh, subject to eligibility, scheme provisions and government approval.
His passionate address received an overwhelming response, with more than 800 attendees giving Rotarian Lal Goel a standing ovation in appreciation of his inspiring message and his continued efforts to promote organ donation awareness.
The programme highlighted the Rotary Club of Bombay Powai’s car rally from Mumbai to Nagpur via Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, organised to spread awareness about organ donation along the route.
The event was attended by Rtn Sanjay Thakur, Rtn Amit Sheth, Rtn Dilip Talreja, Rtn Punit Jain, Rtn Manjit Bali, Rtn Anju Ahluwalia, Rtn Rahul Shinde, Rtn Commodore Bijendra Ahluwalia, Rtn Pradeep Patel, PDG Rtn Subhas Vaidhya, Rtn Dinesh Jaiswal, Rtn Sudhir Thorat, Rtn Satish Bhalshankar and Rtn Vishwanath Borade.
Representing ICEEM were Dr Subhash Zanwar, Chairman; Mr Dilip Sarda, Vice Chairman; Ms Poonam Mehta, Trustee; Dr R. R. Deshmukh, Campus Director; and Dr Padmawat, Director, along with faculty members and students.
Rtn Pawan Gutte, President, Rotary Club of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar East, welcomed the guests. Rtn Nikhil Madgavkar, President, Rotary Club of Bombay Powai, thanked the Rotary Club of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar East and ICEEM for hosting the programme and appreciated Rtn Lal Goel for his continued efforts to promote organ donation awareness.
The programme was conducted by PP Rtn Ashok Toshniwal, Charter Member, Rotary Club of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar East. Vote of thanks was given by Rtn Ashok Singh of the Rotary Club of Bombay Powai.
“One donor can save multiple lives. The real challenge is not only the availability of organs—it is creating a society willing to donate them,” Rotarian Lal Goel said, urging students and citizens to discuss organ donation with their families and make an informed decision to become donors.