Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Jul: On the birthday of former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and former Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, a voluntary blood donation camp was organised under the ‘Samvedana Abhiyan’ at Lekhak Gaon, Thano, the country’s first Writers’ Village. A total of 200 units of blood were donated during the camp.
Students, teachers, staff members, and local residents participated in the blood donation drive, conveying a strong message of social responsibility, compassion, and humanitarian values. Organised jointly by Himalayan Ayurvedic (PG) Medical College, Sparsh Himalayan University, Bhagirath Prayas Foundation, Roorkee, and Devbhoomi Blood Bank, Dehradun, the programme witnessed participation from more than 200 voluntary blood donors.
The day began with traditional prayers and a havan at the Shri Narasimha Bhagwan Temple in Lekhak Gaon. Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ was joined by his daughter, Dr Arushi Nishank, along with Vidushi Nishank, Abhinav Pant, Major Deval Vajpayee, Aryan Dev Uniyal, and other family members, who participated in the religious rituals. Dr Nishank also planted a tree on the occasion.
Later, a children’s poetry recital was held at the Nalanda Library Research and Study Centre, where students from Sunrise Academy and Angels’ Academy, Bahadrabad, presented heartfelt recitations of Dr Nishank’s popular children’s poems, including Bhor Ki Kiran, Barish Ki Phuhar, and Prakriti Ka Uphaar, among others, to extend birthday greetings. The students also performed a birthday song in Sanskrit, showcasing India’s rich cultural traditions. Interacting warmly with the children, Dr Nishank encouraged them to pursue literature, education, moral values, environmental conservation, and national service.
To promote road safety awareness, blood donors were felicitated with helmets as a token of appreciation for their contribution.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said, “Compassion is the greatest value of human life. Blood donation is not merely a social responsibility but a symbol of our kindness, service, and commitment to humanity. A single unit of blood can give a new lease of life to someone in need. If every healthy individual pledges to donate blood regularly, countless lives can be saved.” He urged young people to remain actively involved in voluntary blood donation and other social service initiatives.
Among those present were Padma Shri awardee Premchand Sharma, Padma Shri awardee Dr BKS Sanjay, Doiwala MLA Brij Bhushan Gairola, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Chairman Hemant Dwivedi, Minister of State Om Prakash Jamdagni, Shobharam Prajapati, Dr Jaipal Singh, Subhash Barthwal, BJP Mahila Morcha State President Ruchi Bhatt, Sugarcane Commission Member Subhash Bhatt, Roorkee Mayor Anita Agrawal, Haridwar District President Ashutosh Sharma, Roorkee District President Dr Madhu Singh, Rishikesh District President Rajendra Tadiyal, Doiwala Municipal Council Chairman Narendra Singh Negi, former Rishikesh Mayor Anita Mahangai, former Pauri Zila Panchayat Chairperson Shanti Devi, along with several public representatives, academicians, literary figures, and social workers.
