A section of the Indian community here celebrated their country's 70th Independence Day by donating blood on Aug. 19 , the day they chose to commemorate the Independence Day. Around 250 members of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), a social organization from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, gathered at the King Fahd Hospital and donated 205 units of blood, on Friday. Mohamed Munaf, president of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath ( TNTJ), Jeddah, said, "We marked our country's 70th Independence Day in a unique style by organizing a massive blood donation camp in Jeddah. We did that to honor the heroes of India's freedom struggle." To mark our 70th Independence Day, TNTJ is conducting Worldwide blood donation camp, he said. In Tamil Nadu, TNTJ has conducted more than 30 donation camps and extending its wings to neighboring states of Andhra and Karnataka. Overseas donation camps in Dubai, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Oman was held to mark this auspicious occasion, he added. Mustafa, working with a company and a TNTJ Blood Camp organiser, said that the organization's members decided to celebrate the country's Independence Day in a meaningful manner and express patriotism in a way that could help others and save lives. "We wanted to set an example for other fellow Indians to follow instead of engaging only in cinema, dance, music & other cultural activities during Republic days and Independence days, as a dutiful citizens of India. Even when we are away from India, we wanted to donate blood and save lives of the people who are in need." A large number of expatriates mostly from Tamil-speaking community from India pledged to donate blood on a regular basis. The voluntary donors of more than 250, included Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis & Saudis, who participated in this drive. Other Indian states like Kerala, Andhra, West Bengal and Karnataka donors also participated, he added. Dr. Imad Saigh, director, Lab and Blood Bank, said, "A good number of Haj pilgrims who suddenly fall ill or meet with accidents require blood and this contribution will go long way in helping such section of the pilgrims. Arrangements will be made with the hospital to dispatch the collection to be sent to blood banks in Makkah." Dr. Majid Al Hardi, director, King Fahd Hospital, Ghazi Al Gamdi, deputy director, Sami Al Johari and the Blood Bank team were of the view that these kind of camps have created awareness among local Saudis and expatriates. This campaign started at 2 p.m. and ended at 7 p.m. This is 12th such blood drive of this nature for Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ) – Jeddah Region.
