Sant Nirankaris of Gangtok donate blood

GANGTOK, 17 Apr: The Sant Nirankari Mission [SNM] of Gangtok, a social organization undertook a blood donation camp at the blood bank at STNM Hospital today. The chief guest of the programme was Dr K Bhandari [Director General cum Secretary, Health Department]. Also present were Dr Yogesh Verma [Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital], Dr CM Sharma [Incharge, Blood Bank] and SNM members.
In his short address, Dr K Bhandari stated that it was a good initiative since blood is very precious and one only comes to know the value of it when someone needs it. He added that he had just recently come to know that SNM has been donating blood for the past many years for a good cause.
“Some years ago the STNM hospital used to face scarcity of blood but nowadays because of such voluntary blood donation by people the problem has been solved. It is good to see such good work and for this we are thankful to the mission”, he stated.
In his address, the MS, STNM Hospital, Dr Yogesh Verma stated that SNM was doing a good work for a good cause. “SNM has not only been donating blood but has also been involved in the Safai Abhiyan of the hospital complex too. SNM should keep up the good work and if needed, we will provide the necessary help to SNM members whenever needed”, he added.
SNM member, Ajay Kesari, while speaking to NOW! informed that more than 150 blood donors [all SNM members] from East and North Sikkim donated blood. Out of the 150 who donated blood, there were around 40 to 50 women Sewa Dal volunteers, he added. This blood donation camp was part of a worldwide SNM initiative [held on different dates], while for South and West Sikkim, the blood donation camp will be held at Jorethang on 14 June, he added.
“The SNM members of Sikkim have been donating blood for the last 10 years like our branches all over the country and we have also been awarded the Highest Blood Donors Award by the World Health Organisation [WHO] which we have been winning for the last five years continuously”, he stated and added that SNM members had donated more than seven lakh units of blood all over India.
On 24 April, 1980 Baba Hardev Singhji Maharaj’s father, Baba Guru Bachan Singhji was assassinated in New Delhi and since 1986, the Mission has been holding blood donation camps all over in his memory, he explained.