When school children across Kerala reopen their notebooks this academic year, many of them will also open a story about compassion, organ donation, and a family’s extraordinary decision during unimaginable grief.
The Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, popularly known as Supplyco, has launched its 2026 notebook series under the name “Aalin” — paying tribute to 10-month-old organ donor Aalin Sherin Abraham, whose organs saved five children after she was declared brain dead following a tragic accident earlier this year.
What makes the initiative stand apart is not just the name associated with the notebooks but the larger idea behind it: using an everyday school product to begin conversations about organ donation among families, students, and communities.
The concept for the initiative was ideated by Supplyco’s marketing team under the leadership of IAS officer Jayakrishnan VM (2021 batch, Kerala Cadre), Managing Director of Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, who saw the notebook series as more than a commercial product.
“Supplyco reaches lakhs of families every year through school notebooks. We felt this platform should carry a meaningful social message, especially one that can inspire future generations,” IAS officer Jayakrishnan VM shared in a conversation with Indian Masterminds.
THE STORY THAT MOVED KERALA
In February 2026, Aalin Sherin Abraham lost her life in an accident while travelling with her mother and grandparents. Though doctors could not save the infant, her parents — Sherin Ann John and Arun Abraham — made a decision that would change the lives of several other children.
Aalin’s heart valves, liver, kidneys, and eyes were donated, helping save or improve five young lives.
The story deeply affected people across Kerala. News of the infant organ donor spread widely, with many seeing the family’s decision as an act of immense humanity during a devastating personal loss.
According to the officer, the idea for the notebook series emerged while discussions were underway for the annual back-to-school products.
“Every year we release notebooks before the reopening season. This year, we wanted the notebooks to carry a message that children would remember,” Jayakrishnan VM said.
PARENTS REJECTED CRORE-RUPEE BRAND OFFERS
One of the most striking aspects of the story emerged during the official launch event at Ernakulam Guest House.
Aalin’s parents revealed that several private companies had approached them with offers worth crores to commercially use their daughter’s name and image as a brand. The family rejected every offer.
However, when Supplyco approached them for a public awareness initiative, they agreed immediately — without accepting any payment.
“We did not think twice because this was for society,” Arun Abraham said during the event.
The family believed that a government-backed initiative would help create genuine awareness about organ donation rather than turning their daughter’s memory into a commercial campaign.
Jayakrishnan VM said the decision of Aalin’s parents added greater meaning to the initiative.
A NOTEBOOK SERIES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE CHILDREN
The “Aalin” notebooks are not ordinary school notebooks with a printed photograph on the cover.
The “Aalin” brand includes different categories of notebooks such as college notebooks, premium notebooks, and notebooks for children.
For the children’s notebook series, Supplyco has introduced a creative storytelling format aimed at engaging young readers.
The notebooks have been released at affordable prices ranging from Rs 14.50 to Rs 37 so that families across the state can easily access them.
For the children’s notebook segment, Supplyco introduced a special four-book collectible concept in which the back covers together present illustrated children’s stories such as Fly with Me and Up to the Sky, conceived and designed by students of Sacred Heart College, Thevara.
“We wanted children to engage with meaningful stories in a creative way. The notebooks encourage curiosity and conversations at home and in classrooms,” said Jayakrishnan VM.
The covers and logo for the notebook series were also designed by students of Sacred Heart College, Thevara, who collaborated with Supplyco as part of the project.
“The involvement of students made the initiative even more meaningful because young people became active participants in spreading awareness,” he added.
BEYOND BUSINESS
Supplyco officials repeatedly emphasised that the initiative was not launched for profit.
“We are a public sector organisation. Our responsibility is different. The idea was never to maximise profits,” Jayakrishnan VM said.
“We deliberately kept the pricing affordable because we wanted every parent to have access to these notebooks.”
Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob, who launched the notebooks, described the initiative as part of a larger social responsibility effort.
He said Aalin’s story could help reduce misconceptions surrounding organ donation and encourage more families to think positively about it.
The launch event was attended by political leaders, educators, students, and Aalin’s parents, who were honoured during the programme.
TURNING AWARENESS INTO A PUBLIC MOVEMENT
Kerala has consistently reported higher awareness around organ donation compared to many Indian states, but officials believe hesitation and misinformation still prevent many families from taking decisions during medical emergencies.
Supplyco now hopes the notebook series can expand public conversations far beyond hospitals and awareness campaigns.
“When a child carries these notebooks to school every day, the message travels naturally into homes and communities,” IAS officer Jayakrishnan VM said.
“That is the strength of this initiative. Awareness does not come through advertisements alone. Sometimes a simple school notebook can start an important conversation.”
He also confirmed that Supplyco plans to continue social awareness activities linked to the campaign later.
“This is not intended to be a one-time effort. We want the conversation around organ donation to continue in meaningful ways,” he said.
For Aalin’s parents, the notebooks offer something deeply personal — the feeling that their daughter continues to remain part of children’s lives across Kerala.
Though her life lasted only ten months, her story is now reaching thousands of classrooms, reminding people that even in loss, one decision can give life to many others.
And this year, for countless students in Kerala, that lesson may begin on the very first page of a notebook.
