Akhnoor, 10 December, 2011: To commemorate International Volunteers Day, Govt Degree College Akhnoor in collaboration with Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu organised a Blood Donation Camp in the college here on Friday.

The Red Cross along with NCC and the N.S.S. Units of College organized Blood Donation Camp in the college. Anil Kumar Padha, Hony Secretary of Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Jammu Division, and Dr. T.R. Raina, National Secretary General, ISBDTI, were chief guest and guest of honour respectively on the occasion.

About 50 students including NCC Cadets, and Red Cross and NSS volunteers and staff members - both teaching and non-teaching made voluntary blood donation on the occasion. NCC officer Lt. Anjana Sharma, NSS Co-ordinator, Prof. Rohini Jamwal, Officer in-charge, Women Development Unit, Prof. Shivani Manchanda and Officer in-charge, Red Cross Unit, Dr. M. Ashaq Malik, were among the donors. Prof. Yashpaul Sharma, Head of Chemistry Department and Prof. Sanjay Kotwal, head of Zoology Department along with several other staff members also donated the blood. Ratan Lal, Rakesh Kumar and Ash wani Kumar from Non-teaching staff also gave the blood.

Earlier, an awareness programme was organized in which various speakers shed light on the voluntary donation and its essence in saving the lives.

While speaking to her peers Anu Bala, B.Sc. 2nd year student, emphasised on the fact that blood donation is better than bloodshed. It is a noble cause indeed, "Khnon dhan, maha dhan" she said. It is self-rewarding, gives energy and inner satisfaction, said Ankita Mishra, an NCC cadet. The young speakers encouraged their peers to develop the spirit of voluntary blood donation.

Mr. Padha highlighted the spirit of volunteerism for humanitarian actions including blood donation. He appreciated the innovative role of Red Cross unit, NCC and NSS volunteers in particular and College in general to organize this camp for the second consecutive year.

Dr. T.R. Raina, a blood donor for 58 times, while explaining the biology of blood, made the students aware about voluntary blood donation. He said recent studies show that blood donation, besides saving the lives of others, reduces the heart attack risk to the donors itself. A person can donate blood for about 168 times in an average 60 years life span. "We have examples when people celebrate their birthdays or marriage anniversaries by donating the blood to save lives", he added.

Deputy Director, J&K AIDS control Society, Deepika Thakur also delivered an awareness lecture on "HIV/AIDS and blood transfusion". She said blood transfusion may be more risky than other means, the HIV is transmitted.

Dr. (Mrs.) Kaushal Smotra, Principal of College, who presided over the function, appreciated the role of Red Cross, J&K AIDS Control Society and GMC, Jammu, for turning an idea into the ground reality and celebrating International Volunteers Day in a more practical way.

In his formal vote of thanks, Prof. Kuldeep Raj Sharma, thanked team of Doctors and para-medical staff led by Dr. Reena Sidhu, from Blood Transfusion Unit at GMC, J&K AIDS Control Society, Red Cross, guests and locals, and above all the blood donors. Pooja Choudhary, a B.Sc Part II year student conducted the proceedings of programme.