Kerala bus conductor, whose initiative saved thousands of lives in India, UAE, dies at 48

Dubai: A bus conductor from Kerala, who sparked a life-saving movement that crossed borders and saved thousands of lives in India and the GCC, has died, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and community service.

Vinod Bhaskaran, 48, founder of the charitable blood donation network Blood Donors Kerala (BDK), passed away on Monday, days after a liver transplant surgery at a private hospital in Kerala. His son, Adithyan, had donated a portion of his liver for the procedure.

“Sadly, he developed further complications related to his kidney and heart,” said UAE-based BDK volunteer and close aide Shijith Vidhayasagar, popularly known as Unni Punnara.

Vinod, a KSRTC bus conductor from Changanassery in Kerala’s Kottayam district, began his journey of social service in 2011 through a Facebook group called ‘We Help,’ initially offering meals to those living on the streets. In 2014, driven by the urgent demand for blood, he founded Blood Donors Kerala, which has grown into a large registered charitable trust spanning Kerala, the UAE, and other GCC countries.

His initiative became a lifeline during emergencies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the UAE alone, we’ve saved around 200,000 lives,” said Unni. “We donate over 6,000 units of blood every year. One unit can save three lives.”

The UAE chapter of BDK was launched on Kerala Foundation Day, November 1, 2014, by three Indian expat friends — Vigneswaran, Vijay Babu, and Raheem Reji — who pursued Vinod’s vision to make blood accessible to those in urgent need.

It has since grown into a strong community, with more than 20,000 followers on its Facebook page. Around 60 dedicated volunteers actively coordinate donation requests, blood drives, and awareness campaigns across the emirates.

The parent organisation in Kerala also runs other humanitarian programmes like Sneha Sadhya (Sunday meals for the needy), Sneha Kilukkam (gifting toys and chocolates to children with cancer), and hospital support campaigns like Sneha Puthappu (bedsheets and blankets for patients) and Onam kit distributions for underprivileged families.

Describing him as a “torchbearer of humanity”, BDK UAE members expressed deep grief over his passing in social media tributes. “Our beloved elder brother, who turned blood donation into a beacon of humanity, will now live on in our memories and through every drop of blood donated,” the group wrote.

To honour Vinod’s memory, the UAE chapter of BDK will dedicate blood donation drives at Saqar Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah on July 20, and at Dubai Blood Donation Centre on July 27 in his name.

“He once said he wished for just a single tear from someone whose life had been saved through his work when he passed away. Now, thousands are in tears mourning his loss. He may have left us, but his mission lives on. We will continue to donate blood and save lives, just as he taught us,” said Unni.

He added that BDK members, who had helped fund Vinod's treatment, would continue to support his family as it was their responsibility to aid the family of the man who lived for others.