Port Blair, Sept 09: The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, A & N Islands organised a blood donation-cum-awareness camp yesterday at Maharashtra Mandal Hall, Port Blair. Mr. Naresh Chandra Lall, Padmashree Awardee, Brand Ambassador of Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan and a member of National Film Censor Board inaugurated the blood donation camp. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naresh Chandra Lall appreciated the efforts of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association for organizing such a commendable humanitarian programme. He also recalled his long association with Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association when he worked as a clerk under A & N Administration. He also stressed the need for spreading awareness regarding voluntary blood donation as there are no other sources for blood at the time of need, in this islands, other than government blood banks. Dr. Ganesh Samaddar, Deputy Director, Blood Safety explained various aspects of blood donation and the stigma prevailing in the society regard to blood and organ donation. He underlined the need for conducting such frequent camps by organizations like NGOs’ Association. From among 40 registered voluntary donors around 20 units of blood were collected from the donors who were found sound for blood donation. A team of technicians, nurse and counselor under the guidance of Mr. C.P.Paul, Sr. Lab Technician and Supervisor, Blood Bank.
Earlier, Mr. S.N.Mishra, Vice President of the Association welcomed the gathering. The General Secretary, Mr. T.S.Sreekumar recalled about the historical strike of 1968 and said the blood donation camp is a part of observance of 50th Anniversary of the strike. Mr. P.Sathyapal, President of the Association felicitated the former member of the Association and Padmashree Awardee Mr. Naresh Chandra Lall by presenting a shawl and a memento in the function. Mr. S.L.Vinjit, proposed vote of thanks. Mr. D.Ayyappan, General Secretary, A & N Gazetted Officers’ Association, Mr. B.Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU, Mr. S.P.Kalairajan, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU and many other dignitaries graced the occasion.
