MANSOOR PEER
Blood is considered to be the most precious gift that anyone can give. A decision to donate your blood can save a life. Its importance is often felt in conflict zones like Kashmir where even the blood banks run dry at times due to heavy casualties.
The valley is lucky to have some selfless unsung blood donors.
Shabir Ahmad Khan, 55, has set an example by donating blood 149th times since 1980. Khan is a resident of Kamagarpora area of old city, he is always ready to donate blood for the needy.
“I am donating blood for the human service,” says Khan, a labourer by profession.
“The uncertain circumstances in Kashmir left many persons injured with many patients in dire need of blood. In the present unrest I donated 3 pints of blood,” he adds.
Khan, who started donating blood alone, is now heading 2100 volunteers across Kashmir who are ready to donate blood in times of emergencies.
He says there are people who come from far off areas of the valley and have no one who would donate them blood. “But I stand behind them,” Khan says.
“At times blood banks of different hospitals in Kashmir run dry which often leads to deaths. If I am capable of donating blood, I am obliged to save humanity by donating.”
He says although donating blood leads to temporary weakness in the body, “in the long run it appears to be one of the main causes of remaining healthy”.
ABDUL MAJEED GAMGEEN
Fifty-year-old Abdul Majeed Gamgeen of Kakpora area of south Kashmir has donated 144 pints of blood till now on different occasions, helping in saving many human lives.
“Last a young pregnant lady was battling for life at a hospital in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district because of bleeding. I rushed to the hospital and donated four pints of blood to her,” Gamgeen said.
This kind gesture saved the woman’s life and her family thanked him. It was not the first time Gamgeen saved a life by donating blood.
He has saved hundreds of lives since 1980 when he donated blood for the first time at the age of 15.
“Each year I donate 5 to 6 pints of blood. If I wouldn’t donate, I feel pained,” he says. “In the present unrest I donated 3 pints.”
Showkat Ali Wani, 45, of Khrew Pampore is another young volunteer who has donated 94 pints of blood.
“I regret I couldn’t donate blood in this unrest because of my poor health,” he says.
Wani considers blood donation as one of the greatest human services and he never felt any kind of fear while donating blood for the needy.
Another blood donor Master Sajad of Magam Budgam is a government teacher by profession. He has donated 80 pints of blood.
“I have also donated blood outside Kashmir,” he says.
Sajad is part of Imami Sajad Group of Blood Donors Magam. “We are a group of blood donors and are always ready to donate blood for whosoever is in need,” he says.
“I feel good when I donate my blood. I’m healthy, thanks to Almighty Allah.”
He says blood is one of the prized gifts of God. I consider donating blood as a great human service that can save life of an individual.
Another unsung hero, Ghulam Hassan Mir of Guru Bazar area of Srinagar has donated 51 pints of blood.
“During this unrest I donated two pints of blood, one to Red Cross and another at SMHS Hospital,” says 38-year-old Mir.
“My father was suffering from cancer. I was a child then. Nobody came forward for him at that time which motivated me to donate blood,” he says.
“I am not wealthy but health is one of the greatest gifts that Almighty Allah has bestowed on me. My son is 8 years old. He too wants to donate blood for the needy,” Mir adds.
Younis Dar, 28, of Nowgam Bandipora has donated 30 pints. “In the unrest, I donated 2 pints only,” volunteer Dar says.
“I’m not getting any money. I donate it for the sake of humanity,” he adds.
