TRACY, CA: The Sant Nirankari Mission, a spiritual movement working towards universal brotherhood celebrated ‘Manav Ekata Divas’ (Human Unity Day) by organizing a Blood donation camp on Sunday, May 15 in Tracy, California. The Delta Blood Bank conducted this blood drive. Representatives from the Delta Blood Bank as well as volunteers of the Sant Nirankari Mission (sewadal) gathered at the Tracy Bhavan very early in the morning to set up the blood camp.
Sewadal members had worked hard for last few weeks spreading the word about this blood camp. The blood camp received an overwhelming response and total blood collected exceeded everyone’s expectations. Although the timing for blood camp was announced for 10 am to 2pm, it had to be extended well beyond that timeframe and still there were a few who missed their chance due to time constraints. But they promised to visit again next year. One could see joy and satisfaction on the faces of volunteers conducting the event as well as blood donors. Some of them had come from places as far as Reno, Fresno, San Jose, and Sacramento. Total blood collection was 34 units which saves 102 lives.
Arrangements of snacks, water, fruits and juices were made for the blood donors. Apart from that Langar (community lunch) arrangement was also made.
The Sant Nirankari mission celebrates human unity day and organizes blood donation camps and health fairs as a tribute to the supreme sacrifice of Baba Gurbachan Singh. A satsang program (spiritual congregation) was conducted from 11 am to 2 pm in the same hall and it concluded with screening of the message to mankind by the head of the Sant Nirankari Mission, His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh. He reinforced the importance of human unity. This message of human unity was not just listened to but being lived by the people who participated in the blood donation camp.
The Sant Nirankari Mission today is one of the leading blood donating voluntary organizations in India. Scores of blood donation camps are organized in the month of April every year.
These camps are held as per the wishes of the present Spiritual Head of the Mission Baba Hardev Singh who said that donation of blood would be the best tribute to Baba Gurbachan Singh who sacrificed his life for the sake of Truth and human values. Moreover, blood donation is the best service one could offer to humanity. When transfused in human veins blood knows no religion, caste or nationality.
The Mission has organized more than 1247 Blood Donation Camps in India and abroad during the past one decade. It is estimated that the volunteers of the Nirankari Sewa Dal and other devotees have so far donated more than 248,000 units of blood. In 2006, 168 camps were held and 28,587 units of blood donated. Quite often, His Holiness, his esteemed spouse and other members of the gracious family also donate blood during these camps. The miracle is that the number of blood donors always exceeds the capacity of the blood collecting teams.
In recognition of the Mission’s efforts towards promoting voluntary blood donation, the Indian Red Cross Society conferred a special award on the Mission on June 14, 2006.
The Sant Nirankari Mission is essentially a spiritual movement. Its principal commitment to its followers is to make their minds conscious of the Eternal Reality and unite their Soul with the Creator, the Formless God. The Mission believes that ignorance and superstition are the biggest obstacles in man’s path to real progress and happiness. The narrow-mindedness, hatred and pride brooded by them are the most vicious source of trouble for the mankind. The Mission endeavors to remove the same by making spiritual enlightenment within the reach of every man and woman–young or old, rich or poor, high or low, educated or illiterate, whatever the language, faith or culture, whatever the state or the nation.
Prafull Lande
