JALANDHAR: To make up the demand for blood in hospitals of Dubai during the month of Ramzan, when Muslims find it difficult to donate blood due to fasting, NGO "Sarbat Da Bhala'', formed by Sikhs settled in Dubai, organized a blood donation camp to help out health authorities in the Gulf state.
Over 300 Punjabi volunteers turned up at the camp organized at Dubai Grand hotel, owned by the NGO's president S P Singh Oberoi, but the team of health department had arrangements to accept only 140 units.
"We were requested by health authorities to help maintain stocks at blood banks in the month of Ramzaan as emergency and thalassemia patients were finding it difficult to get blood due to dwindling stocks these days. We immediately planned the camp," Oberoi told TOI from Dubai.
The camp started at 8 in the evening on Thursday and continued for around 5 hours. "This would also strengthen the image of the community, apart from strengthening ties with local community," he said. "Another camp would be organized on August 18 as many enthusiastic volunteers had to be turned away," Oberoi said.
"The image of the community had received a beating after the involvement some youth in bootlegging and murders. We are now trying to show the positive side of the community," he remarked.
Meanwhile, he said the NGO members have also started visiting labour camps where Punjabi workers were staying, to create awareness against bootlegging and risks involved in it. "Many youth would get trapped in illegal liquor trade out of compulsion and eagerness to make a quick buck. We are making a presentation to them on the horrifying details about what happened to over five dozen Punjabi youth who were languishing in jails. The awareness drive would act as a major deterrent against their entrapment in the filthy business of bootlegging," Oberoi said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ubai-to-meet-shortage/articleshow/9500190.cms
Over 300 Punjabi volunteers turned up at the camp organized at Dubai Grand hotel, owned by the NGO's president S P Singh Oberoi, but the team of health department had arrangements to accept only 140 units.
"We were requested by health authorities to help maintain stocks at blood banks in the month of Ramzaan as emergency and thalassemia patients were finding it difficult to get blood due to dwindling stocks these days. We immediately planned the camp," Oberoi told TOI from Dubai.
The camp started at 8 in the evening on Thursday and continued for around 5 hours. "This would also strengthen the image of the community, apart from strengthening ties with local community," he said. "Another camp would be organized on August 18 as many enthusiastic volunteers had to be turned away," Oberoi said.
"The image of the community had received a beating after the involvement some youth in bootlegging and murders. We are now trying to show the positive side of the community," he remarked.
Meanwhile, he said the NGO members have also started visiting labour camps where Punjabi workers were staying, to create awareness against bootlegging and risks involved in it. "Many youth would get trapped in illegal liquor trade out of compulsion and eagerness to make a quick buck. We are making a presentation to them on the horrifying details about what happened to over five dozen Punjabi youth who were languishing in jails. The awareness drive would act as a major deterrent against their entrapment in the filthy business of bootlegging," Oberoi said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ubai-to-meet-shortage/articleshow/9500190.cms