Bondhu Mahal has a tradition to celebrate Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birthday on January 23 by organizing a Blood Donation camp. We did it twice for last two years. But this year, we organized the Blood donation camp on February 8 only because on January 24 there was Saraswati Puja. And we thought it would be very hectic for us to organize two functions back to back if Blood donation camp is held on January 23.

As usual the function was organized at Puja Park at Bhootnath market. This time we involved traders of the market and distributed pamphlets among them. Response was very good. Everyone liked the way the Bondhu Mahal was trying to help the society.

A day before our Blood donation camp it started raining. We were concerned about the success of our camp. Instructions were issued to the Tamboowala – the tent house – to make the tent water proof. With our fingers crossed we went to bed. The next day, when we Bondhus reached the Park at 6 in the morning, it was drizzling. The tent was water proof and there was no hint of dripping.

By 8.30 am we were ready with our preparations. But it was cold. We were concerned about the donors. Doctors of RML Hospital came at 9 am and within 15 minutes the camp started. Senior IAS officer Badal Chatterjee was our chief guest. He came with his wife. His presence added sheen to our programme. Mrs Chatterjee was so overwhelmed by our work that she donated Rs 1,000 to Bondhu Mahal.

By the end of the day 53 donors had donated blood. The next day Head, Blood Bank, RML Hospital, Dr V.K. Sharma phoned me up to say that the camp was extraordinary and it was a grand success. He even said that Blood Bank will provide blood to Bondhu Mahal volunteers as and when they need.

Thank you Dr Sharma for your kind gesture.  Bondhu Mahal stands indebted to you.

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