Leela Moolgaokar – Association of Voluntary Blood Donors West Bengal

Mrs. Leela Moolgaokar

Memorial Oration

Early Life

Mrs Leela Moolgaokar, a Woman of Golden Arm, a person who is among the first to explore the first Voluntary blood donation movement in India. Eminent social worker Mrs Leela Moolgaokar wife of Dr. Sumant Moolgaokar, former Chairman of the Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company Limited was born in 1916 and passed away on May 20, 1992.

Journey

Starting as a radiographer at St. George`s Hospital, Mumbai, Mrs. Moolgaokar was the first in the country to start a voluntary blood donation movement in Mumbai in 1954. She had a new line of thought, a new method, a bare, barren or open area of crisis of Blood, She was appointed honorary Organiser of the Blood Bank Scheme of the Government of Maharashtra from 1954 to 1970 and again from 1975 to 1992. She was appointed by The President of India as a special officer on duty for Blood Transfusion Service of the Director General of Health Services, New Delhi in 1964. The post was upgraded to Assistant Director General for Blood Transfusion Service. She started the Federation of Bombay Blood Banks in 1980. She was the Sheriff of Bombay in 1975 – 1976.

Deeds

She worked in flood relief, earthquake relief and drought relief in different states of the country and also in leprosy treatment and rehabilitation. She also endeavoured for upliftment of women and children. She received Padmashree from the Government of India in 1963 and many other awards.

She had regular contact with Association of voluntary blood donors West Bengal on development of Voluntary blood donation movement in Bengal as well as in India.

Being grateful for the gracious behavior of our Self-esteem person like Mrs. Moolgaokar admirer of Association of Voluntary Blood Donors West Bengal, started to observe the day from 1993 on 3^rd Saturday of May in every year by arranging a oration on SELF-MOTIVATION by an eminent personnel of the society.