Mangaluru: To mark the 46th birthday of Health and Family Welfare minister U T Khader, a blood donation camp was organised at the Government Wenlock Hospital here, on October 12.
Dr Sharat briefed on the blood donation and said that the medical students had decided to organise a blood donation camp to mark the 46th birthday of Minister U T Khader, because he is an inspiration to all the youth and has donated blood more than 60 times. Recalling the speech which the former president of India, late APJ Abdul Kalam, had delivered in London – “Righteousness of the heart of the citizens brings harmony in the home; harmony in the home brings order in the nation and order in the nation brings peace in the world” – he said that U T Khader is a righteous person and tries to bring harmony in the nation, thus helping to bring peace in the world. “He is very helpful to the people in their needs and encourages the youth to donate blood,” he added.
The programme began with an invocation. District Surgeon Dr Rajeshwari Devi welcomed the gathering. The blood donation camp was inaugurated by U T Khader by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, MLA J R Lobo said that, it is an auspicious day and also an important day in the life of Khader, a dynamic young person and an able minister of Karnataka. “Today is his 46th birthday. I pray to the Almighty God to shower His choicest blessings on him, to grant good health to take forward his ministry and serve the community at large. U T Khader is known for his service, he is a person restlessly working for the improvement of the health department. He is very active, and is a role model to youngsters, to serve the society. He does not look at the clock while helping the needy and has always helped people whenever they were in need.” Lobo congratulated the minister for his relentless service to society. He also appreciated the service of Shamili from G Shanker Trust for taking the initiative in serving the cancer and kidney patients.
U T Khader speaking on the occasion said, “God has given us this life to live for others. We should live for others by donating blood. I did not celebrate my birthday anytime, but this year, the medical students requested that they wanted to celebrate my birthday as a blood donation day and I accepted it. It is my vision that no person should die due to lack of blood. We need to evolve into a society where there is no shortage of blood.”
“I started to donate blood when I was in second PUC. I was very much afraid to donate blood. Some students put the blood donation stickers on them and lied that they had donated blood. But after I started to donate blood, I never looked back. For 10 to 15 years, I was continuously donating blood. I have donated blood more than 60 times.”
He further said that nowadays people are afraid to receive blood from others. “Sometimes people would come to my house in the night and ask for blood. But when I was unable to find blood for them from other sources, I myself had gone to the hospital and donated blood in the night. We need to have social concern. God will surely reward you for the good that you do to others. When a person dies, he should get a decent death; he should not be abandoned for any reason.”
Addressing the students, he said, “Along with your education, social concern is very much important. Earlier education was the greatest gift but if you have access to the internet, you will get any kind of education. Even the government is trying to eliminate hunger by distributing free rice. Nowadays, blood donation is the greatest gift in the world because even after so many technological advancements, there is still no alternative for blood.”
Through the website Raktasanjivi, blood samples available in all 64 blood banks in the district will be monitored. All districts will have well established blood banks and in all taluks, there will be blood storage units. “We have to make the district a well established medical centre,” he added.
He also said that power is not permanent. It will come and go, but service to mankind is very much important. For students, IQ is not very important but emotional quotient is and along with it, spiritual quotient. Everywhere there are problems but we need to lead a tension free life. Congratulating the students for their initiative to collect 500 units of blood, he said, “In the coming days, let people voluntarily donate their organs too.” While concluding Khader said, “Save life by donating blood”.
Shamili G Shanker from Udupi, Dr Vamadeva and Ram Gopal Shetty also spoke on the occasion. Medical aid from G Shanker Trust was distributed to the cancer patients by U T Khader. Shamili Shanker was felicitated by the minister for her humane service to treat the cancer and kidney patients.
Mohammed Suhail delivered the vote of thanks. Rubina D’Souza compered the programme. Dr Rohira Shetty was the first blood donor in the camp. The collected units will be distributed to blood banks of 10 hospitals.
District Health officer Dr Ramakrishna, Chairperson of Sri Devi Physiotherapy Department Myna Shetty and others were also present.