Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) Calling upon the youth to donate blood, union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Friday said it will help in narrowing the divisions in society along caste, religion and regional lines.

“It is the best way to serve people, the blood you donate may save someone’s life,” Azad said at a function to mark World Red Cross day on May 8.

“It’s not merely donating blood, it is also an opportunity to tell people whatever caste, religion, or region they belong to, the blood that flows in their veins is the same,” he said.

Azad also recalled his days in the Indian Youth Congress which organised several blood donation camps.

“I remember in 1982, we collected one lakh bottles of blood across the country in a single day. There is a need to revive this kind of enthusiasm among the new generation,” he said, adding that former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi also donated blood in the camp once.

However, the minister felt that youth organisations today were more interested in “getting positions”.

“The tradition needs to be revived. The youth organisations, though very active, are more interested in getting positions than donating blood or other things,” Azad said.

The minister also inaugurated a high-tech conference hall at the Indian Red Cross Society, which will facilitate communication with the regional centres of the society across the country.

“This will help us connect with the regional centres and will enhance our efficiency to deal with disaster management,” said S.P. Agarwal, the secretary general of the society.