SENIOR CITIZENS CAN TRANSFORM FAMILY CONVERSATIONS ON ORGAN DONATION: ROTARIAN LAL GOEL

 by Priyanka Jadhav

Mathura, 25 April 2026 — Delivering a powerful and heartfelt message, Rotarian Lal Goel, Founder & Charter President of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International and Chairman of the Organ Donation India Foundation & GYAN, urged senior citizens to become catalysts of change within their families by championing the cause of organ donation.

Addressing a gathering at the Senior Citizen Welfare Society Mathura as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, he emphasised that the influence of elders within Indian families is profound — and when they speak, generations listen.

The programme commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp and the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra, setting a reflective and purposeful tone. Er S. S. Johri, Secretary of the Society, warmly welcomed the gathering and introduced the keynote speaker.

In his address, *Rotarian Lal Goel clearly distinguished between organ donation, body donation, and tissue donation — dispelling common myths and encouraging informed decision-making. He urged senior citizens not to underestimate their moral authority, but to actively initiate conversations within their families — during daily interactions, walks, and moments of togetherness.

With particular emphasis, he highlighted the unique emotional bond between grandparents and grandchildren, noting that this connection can become a powerful force in shaping family decisions.

Grounding his message in real stories of courage and compassion, *he acknowledged individuals who had led by example. Shri S. K. Kansal was appreciated for donating his wife’s organs in Pune, while Rotarian Shreyansh Prasad Jain was commended for his timely efforts in facilitating the eye donation of Late Shri Suresh Chand Jain in Ghaziabad. “When elders lead with conviction,” he said, “families follow with trust.”

Rotarian PHF Deepak Goel, President of the Society and Foundation Chair of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation International, expressed gratitude for the inspiring session. He highlighted the urgent need to strengthen awareness and infrastructure in Mathura, noting that even body and tissue donations often face challenges due to systemic gaps. He expressed confidence that such initiatives would spark meaningful change within families and the wider community.

The interactive session that followed saw enthusiastic participation, with attendees raising thoughtful questions that were addressed in detail. 

Shri Gopal Sharan, Shri Raman Lal Gupta, Shri Suresh Chand Gaur, Sushri Usha Bhargava, Sushri Uma Sharma, and Dr Madhubala Garg, were present amongst others.

The programme concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where Rotarian Dr D. P. Goyal, Er Radhey Shyam Bansal, and Shri Suresh Sharma honoured Rotarian Lal Goel for his unwavering commitment to the cause.

In his closing remarks, Rotarian Lal Goel expressed sincere appreciation to the Society for organising the awareness programme at short notice — reaffirming that the spirit to save lives must always rise above circumstances, even the intense summer heat.