Udupi: “Blood donation is the greatest type of donation. There is nothing equivalent to donation as at least three lives can be saved by donating blood, so everyone should donate blood at least once in their lifetime,” said Udupi Deputy Commissioner (DC) G Jagadish.
He was speaking at a blood donation camp organised by the Udupi District Administration, Health and Family Welfare Department, AIDS Control and Prevention Unit, Udupi District Blood Donation Centre, and St Mary’s Industrial Training Institute on Wednesday, October 9.
The blood donation camp was followed by a felicitation programme held for donors who have donated the highest quantity of blood.
Addressing the gathering, Jagadish said, “Young men can donate blood once in every three months and young women can donate once in every six months. That means they can donate nearly 240 times in their lifetime. This would end up saving atleast 720 lives. Youth are the pillars of this country. In the 73 years since Independence, Indians have made their mark across the globe. But, despite being trained in ITIs, they are unable to stand firmly in the workplace. Lecturers should ponder over this and provide the apporpriate guidance.”
“Students need to stand on their own time and work for others. They should do their best and help in building a strong country,” he added.
In her address, District Surgeon Madhusudana Nayak said that no matter how advanced the country is, there is no alternative to blood. In accident and other health-related cases, blood can be saved by the person alone. “It is a voluntary donation with no hidden intentions, and the young people should be self-motivated and involved in any such activity,” he said.
Fr. Valerian Mendonca presided over the programme and said that blood donation is so important that blood cannot be made in any laboratory. He further said, “There is no caste or creed in blood. One donor’s blood is said to be the basis for another’s life.”
The most frequent donors in the program – Swapna Suresh, Venugopala, Renu Jayaram, Gurumoorthy and Guruprasad – were honoured with an award.
Earlier, St Mary’s Industrial Training Institute Principal Gilbert Braganza welcomed the gathering while faculty member Mahabaleshwar compered the programme and delivered the vote of thanks.
Students, lecturers, and staff of Chitpadi St. Mary’s Private Aided Industrial Training Institute were present at the event.
