Srinagar, Aug 2: In an exemplary show of unity in times of severe crisis in the Kashmir Valley, several volunteers have established blood donation camps at several places and also established Langars (makeshift kitchens) for patients and their attendants in Srinagar hospitals.
 Despite strict curfew in place, the volunteers from different Srinagar localities, and those from Sikh community, managed to establish the Langars and blood donation camps in the wake of rising number of injured in the hospitals, including Lal Ded, SMHS and SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura.
 At Ikrajpora and Aloochibagh localities, volunteers pooled rice and vegetables and cooked them for patients at SMHS and Lala Ded hospitals. “We managed to pool rice and some vegetables and distribute the same among the patients and their attendants, who were suffering in absence of essential commodities in the hospitals,” said Zahoor Ahmad, a volunteer.
 He said the patients in hospitals mostly hailed from far flung areas and were unable to manage food during the curfew. “So we thought it is better if we can be of some help to them. We went from Mohalla to Mohalla and collected the food items,” he said. “By the grace of God, the Langar is functioning smoothly.”
 In several other city localities, such Langars have been organized and people are voluntarily coning forward to participate. “Recently people from Shopian sent truckloads of vegetables and fruit to Srinagar as relief. If they can do so, why can’t we pay them back by donating blood or organising some food for them? This crisis is not going to remain. But it is our moral responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in this hour of grief,” said Shafiq Mir, a resident of Aali Kadal.
 In several city areas, blood donation camps have also been established. A medico, belonging to Sikh community, established a blood donation camp at Ikhrajpora. This was done keeping in view the shortage of blood in some hospitals and also the need for more blood in many healthcare centres. “Given the rising number of injured persons reaching the hospitals from different areas, it has become imperative to keep adequate blood in store so that the hospitals don’t suffer,” said a volunteer, who donated blood at the Ikhrajpora camp, organized by Dr Daljit Singh.
 Pertinently, during the 2008 Armarnath land row, similar blood donation camps and Langars were established by volunteers across the Valley. Similar scenes are witnessed this time.
 Interestingly, doctors at the city hospitals have welcomed establsihement of blood donation camps. “Such initiatives are always welcome, especially at a time when we are facing huge crisis and we received people with bullet injuries mostly,” said a doctor at SMHS hospital.
 In the past three days volunteers have given over 150 units of blood. The same have been distributed to the hospital blood banks.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST