Visually impaired become torchbearers, donate blood in Shimla

HimVani

Shimla: It was the first camp of its kind in Himachal Pradesh in which six visually impaired persons came forward to donate blood voluntarily. In fact, the blood donation camp was inaugurated by Shobhu Ram, president of Blind Persons’ Association of Himachal Pradesh by donating blood. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal also paid visit to the camp and lauded efforts being made by Umang Foundation to protect the rights of children with thalassemia in the state. As many as sixty persons, including girls, donated blood in the camp to support children with thalassemia.

The camp was held in association with SEWA Trust, and was dedicated to the loving memory of two young journalists who died young. Ajai Srivastava, a crusader for the rights of the disabled, convener of the camp and president of Umang Foundation, said blind persons gave a very strong message to the society that they want to make a positive contribution to the society and should not be excluded at all. Anurup Thakur, Tarachand, Kartar Sharma, Gopal and Naveen Kumar, all blinds, also donated blood. Shobhu Ram thanked Ajai Srivastava for giving an opportunity to blind persons to donate blood and support the cause of children with thalassemia.

The Chief Minister, while visiting the blood donation camp, said that Umang Foundation was rendering a great service to the society by creating awareness about the importance of blood donation and the problems being faced by children with Thalassemia.

Rakesh Kanwar, founder trusty of SEWA Trust, was among those who donated blood. He said the trust would continue to support such cause in future also. Prof. Vepa Rao, patron of the trust, Ms. Meeakshi Kanwar, a trusty, was also present in the camp. The camp received active support from members of YES, a local organization of youth.