Port Blair, Sept. 9:  The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, A & N Islands organised a blood donation-cum-awareness camp   today (8th September, 2018) at Maharashtra Mandal Hall, Port Blair. Shri Naresh Chandra Lall, Padmashree Awardee, Brand Ambassador of Swatch Bharat Abhiyaan and a member of National Film Censor Board inaugurated the blood donation camp. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Naresh Chandra Lall appreciated the efforts of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association for organizing such a commendable humanitarian programme. He also recalled his long association with Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association when he worked as a clerk under A & N Administration. He also stressed the need for spreading awareness regarding voluntary blood donation as there are no other sources for blood at the time of need, in this islands, other than government blood banks. Dr. Ganesh Samaddar, Deputy Director, Blood Safety explained various aspects of blood donation and termed the superstitions prevailing in the society regard to blood and organ donationas astigma.From among 40 registered voluntary donors around 20 units of blood units were collected from the donors who were found sound for blood donation. A team of staff from Health Department under the guidance of Shri C.P.Paul, Sr. Lab Technician and Supervisor, Blood Bank conducted the camp. 

Earlier, Shri S.N.Mishra, Vice President of the Association welcomed the gathering. The General Secretary, Shri T.S.Sreekumar recalled about the historical strike of 1968 and said the blood donation camp is a part of observance of 50th Anniversary of that strike. Shri P.Sathyapal, President of the Association felicitated the former member of the Association and Padmashree Awardee Shri Naresh Chandra Lall by presenting a shawl and a memento in the function. Shri S.L.Vinjit,Secretary South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Association proposed vote of thanks. Shri D.Ayyappan, General Secretary,A&N Gazetted Officers’ Association,Shri B.Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU, Shri S.P.Kalairajan, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU and many other dignitaries graced the occasion.