NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, MAR 21
To celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a state-wide blood donation camp has been organized by an NGO on Tuesday, March 23, in the memory of the martyrs who shed blood for freedom, the organizers said on Saturday.
They also underscored the need to create awareness amongst the general public to donate blood voluntarily, calling for reducing the gap between demand and availability of safe blood during this corona pandemic period.
To create awareness about voluntary blood donation and organ donation among youth in the age group of 18 and 45 years, Gujarati cine artiste Avni Modi will be the first blood donor, and Welcome to Heaven fame Prakash Jadewala batted for this common cause.
Speaking with media persons, the organisers said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the nationwide celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on 12th March. As a part of the celebration he had urged all the sections of society to participate in it and contribute for fruitful and constructive works for society. To celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a state-wide blood donation camp has been organized on Tuesday, March 23, 2021in memory of the martyrs who shed blood for freedom.”
The blood donation camp has been organized by ‘Samvedana’, a joint initiative of the National Integrated Medical Association and the National Integrated Forum for Artists and Activists.
90 years ago Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged by the British on March 23 which is celebrated all over the country as Martyrs’ Day. Incidentally, March 23 is also the birthday of Hemu Kalani, 19, a Sindh-born revolutionary, who was also hanged by the British at the age of 19, the organisers added.
Commenting on this Sanjeev Mehta, President, Gujarat Unit said, “We have organized the blood donation camp under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative and we want to reduce blood scarcity during this corona period.”
Hasmukh C Vaidya, President, National Integrated Medical Association, said, “On this occasion of Martyrs’ Day, about 90,000 blood bottles will be collected from 28 states, 8 UTs and over1,500 venues. So far we have got 1.2 lakh registrations which wil be a Guinness Book of World Record attempt. In Gujarat we have created over 60 blood collection centres. As per my estimate about 4,000 blood bottles will be collected from Gujarat alone.”
On this occasion Dr. Anil Khatri, Convener, Samvedana, said, “We cannot talk about Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav without remembering Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Hemu Kalani who martyred for freedom. Let us give true tribute to martyrs by donating blood.”
Director of the Indian Red Cross Society, Gujarat said, “Blood transfusion is a unique technology in that its collection, processing and use are scientifically based, but its availability depends on the extraordinary generosity of people who donate blood regularly as the most precious of gifts – the gift of life.”
Describing how transfusion of blood is an essential part of modern health care management, he said in developed countries, 50 persons per 1000 people donate blood in a year.
“In our country, 8-10 persons donate blood per 1000 people in a year. India with a massive population of 1.30 billion requires just around 14 million units of blood annually. Ideally if 1 per cent of the total eligible population donates blood every year there would be no shortage of blood,” he said.
The blood donation camps will be held at Bhuj, Adipur, Gandhidham, Palanpur, Bhavnagar, Anand, Amreli, Petlad, Kapadvanj, Dahod, Navsari, Godhra, Kalol, Himmatnagar, Rajkot, Vyara, Rajpipla, Surat Patan, Tarapur, Dang, Lunawada and Bhavnagar. Also it has been organized at about 10 places in Ahmedabad.
Apart from this, in memory of Dandi Yatra, the Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha Ahmedabad has decided to collect a minimum of 386 bottles of blood. Actress Avni Modi will also participate in this noble cause.
Blood donors who have donated blood more than 50 times will be honoured at this blood donation camp. Organizations like Indian Red Cross Society, Brahmakumaris, National Blood Transfusion Council, Haryana Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Vishwa Umiya Foundation, Thalassemia Awareness Foundation and Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha etc. are participating in these blood donation camps.
