Jitendra Singh Rathore’s story truly exemplifies ‘Junoon’ and self-less desire to serve the people. Upon his son’s death due to kidney failure he made it the sole aim of his life to raise awareness among the people about kidney diseases.

Jitendra Singh Rathore hails from Udaipur, Rajasthan. He is the founder and president of Lakecity Kidney Centre and Relief Foundation. Jitendra earns a living by selling tea and breakfast at his tea stall at Gulab Bagh, Udaipur.

There is a personal story behind what led Jitendra to start a foundation that works to make people aware about kidney related diseases and kidney transplants. Jitendra lost his son at the young age of 22 owing to kidney failure. It left Jitendra really devastated and after performing his son’s last rites and rituals that follow, he started questioning himself whether to mourn his son’s death or do something in his remembrance so as to pay him a real homage.

When Jitendra was still grieving he happened to attend the session of a saint who visited Udaipur. This session gave Jitendra a realisation that one who is born is sure to die. When we celebrate birth then why to mourn death. So Jitendra made it his aim to do something in the remembrance of his son. He wanted to spread awareness about kidney related diseases among the people. He roped in like minded people and founded the Lakecity Kidney Centre and Relief Foundation in Udaipur.

Jitendra does not have any fancy office to meet and counsel people but a zeal and passion to fulfill his aim. He counsels people at his tea stall and tries to motivate them for organ donation. Jitendra says that a kidney donation doesn’t lead to any complications in a healthy individual. And if a kidney is donated by a healthy person to a needy one within the same family then the transplant becomes really successful.

Jitendra is concerned that even after 72 years of Independence we still don't have any organ transplant facility in the whole of Mewar. So by communicating with the authorities through proper channels he is on the verge of setting up an organ transplant unit in MB Hospital, Udaipur. It is due for ratification from the AIIMS, New Delhi and post that it will be functional.

Talking about his childhood Jitendra says that he was born in a very humble family. He had to face a lot of challenges growing up. He could not complete his education beyond 8th std.

Jitendra advises people to take good care of their health. Proper water intake and required medicine consumption may avert kidney related diseases and further complications.

Jitendra tells that his son consumed over-the-counter body mass supplements which led to his kidney failure later. So he advises everyone not to consume any body supplements and mass gainers without a proper consultation with a nephrologist.

Jitendra works from 7 am till 7 pm at his teal stall. And after that he hardly spends any time on leisure activities. His sole aim is to spread awareness about kidney diseases and provide help and support to the kidney patients.