Patna: A family in Jharkhand organised a blood donation camp to make the wedding of their daughter a memorable event and also convey the message that saving life is as sacred an act as “kanyadaan” (giving away the daughter).
Snigdha Dube, a resident of Ranchi district, lost her father Vijay Kumar Dube during the COVID-19 period as the family failed to arrange blood for him despite all efforts.
So when the wedding of Snigdha was fixed with Raunak Kumar, the family decided to donate blood for people in need and help save their lives. The wedding guests were pleasantly surprised when they found a blood donation camp organised at the venue and medical staff ready to collect blood during Mehndi (henna) ceremony, a pre-wedding event, on Friday.
A total of 15 units of blood were collected at the special camp, which were donated to the local government hospital; 30 guests failed to donate blood as they were found to be suffering from diabetes, thyroid, blood pressures and other ailments during the medical check-up by a health team.
“I lost my husband during the COVID-19 time as we failed to arrange for blood for him despite all efforts. So we decided to hold a blood donation during the wedding of my daughter to save the lives of the people,” the bride’s mother Bharti Dube told the media on Saturday.
“Blood donation is as pious as giving away the daughters. We want to convey the message that a single unit of blood can save at least three to four people,” she said, adding COVID-19 crisis had proved wealth is not important. “During the COVID-19 period, it has been proved that wealth is insignificant. It remains here; only the work done for the society is remembered,” she observed.
She said the people feel the importance of blood donation when they lose near and dear ones. “Many of us failed to save family members despite offering all the money. We want to bring smiles to the families in urgent need of blood,” she said.
The health department lauded the initiative of the family and honoured them with a letter of appreciation. “This is a wonderful initiative which will create awareness in society and also encourage others to do similar things,” said Bhuvanesh Pratap Singh, project director with the Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society who led the medical team at the wedding venue.
