[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Indian expatriates mark 68th Republic Day by donating blood" ids="117048,117047,117046"] By Syeda Amtul JEDDAH — A section of the Indian community here celebrated country's 68th Republic Day by donating blood to commemorate the date on which the Constitution of India came into force. Around 160 members of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), a social organization from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, gathered at the King Abdul Aziz Hospital at Mahjar area and 121 donors donated blood. Salahudeen, a sales manager and the TNTJ secretary, said that the organization's members decided to celebrate the country's Republic Day in a meaningful manner and express patriotism in a way that could help others and save lives. "We marked our country's 68th Republic Day in a unique style by organizing a blood donation camp in Jeddah. We did that to honor the heroes of India's freedom struggle," said Salahudeen. He said each member of TNTJ visited the KAU (King Abdulaziz Hospital & Oncology Center) and donated blood. The entire procedure from the general health check to blood donation took less than 30 minutes. "We wanted to set an example to follow to other fellow Indians that instead of engaging themselves in cinema, dance, music & other cultural activities during Republic 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," said Salahdeen. TNTJ is comprised of a group of Tamil-speaking people whose aim is to serve the people. We got a overwhelming response from our community members as well as from others, TNTJ's one of the blood donation coordinator Naina Mohammed added. "The noble act of donating blood will not only give a new lease of life to many, it also heightens our common sense of social responsibility by serving the humanitarian and social needs of our local communities," he added. The voluntary donors of more than 160, included Pakistanis & Sri Lankans and they also participated in this drive. Donors from other Indian states like Kerala, Andhra, UP also participated. Ayman Sabry, director, Lab and Blood Bank, said, "The Indian donor's services would help who suddenly fall ill or meet with accidents requiring blood." These kind of camps created a awareness among Saudis and expatriates. Dr. Ali Khodary, organizer, King Abdulaziz Hospital, Dr. Mohsen Almotairi, Mrs. Ashwag Alhekry, Mrs. Rawya Shoaili and the Blood Bank team agreed that these kinds of camps created awareness among Saudis and expatriates. The Jeddah chapter of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), a social organization from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, has conducted Blood Donation Drive for the 12th time. This campaign started at 2 p.m. and ended by 6 p.m. "This is 13th such blood drive by TNTJ - Jeddah region," he added. The group maintains to be the No. 1 organization in blood donation in Tamil Nadu and most of the GCC countries. Tamil Nadu Government has awarded a number of awards appreciating its social concern to serve humanity.
