Rajesh Shetty is president of Bunts Bahrain

Riyadh: On the occasion of 71st Republic Day of India, Karavali Welfare Association Riyadh (KWAR) conducted BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN on the 17th Jan 2020 at KING SAUD Universities King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh. 

This is one of KWARs Prestigious Humanitarian EVENT every year, as we are indebted to serve the society for a Great Cause.

The campaign began at 08:30 am with a theme of Republic Day Celebrations and went on till 3:30 pm. Irrespective of Friday being a weekend and holiday people came in good numbers to donate Blood. The Hospital Staff, The Doctors and the Blood Bank Technicians and others at King Khalid University Hospital were more than happy to serve all those who have participated in this campaign.

KWAR Thanks all the Hospital Staff especially Mr. Salman Baqsh for his introduction of KWAR to Blood Bank and all the arrangements for this campaign, without his support this could not been done. Dr. Zafar Mahmoud for his wonderful support during the campaign and Mr. Abdullah Al Saman for his outstanding Hospitality throughout the campaign. KWAR also thanks all the donors who came all the way voluntarily for this Great Humanitarian Cause. As a token of gesture KWAR awarded Certificate of Appreciation to all the participants.

And KWAR would like to thank specially Mr. Nasir, Representative of Blood Helpline Karnataka, who encouraged many donors and made them to actively participate and donate blood for this noble cause.

KWAR’s core activities was on display on the screen, with most of the Committee members were present at the venue to serve the donors. KWAR thanks all the members, the Executive committee and all those who took their valuable time to organize this event successfully and thank all our well-wishers who supported us for the BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN. We in KWAR wish every Donor and the participants a healthy life ahead, and we need everyone's active participation in all our Future events.

Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) Chaiman Dr Sam Pitroda held video conference with senior IOC office bearers across Middle Eastern countries on 14th April 2020 to review the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among Indians residing in the region. Almost all speakers appreciated the efforts initiated and  implemented by  respective governments to contain spread of the deadly virus as well as measures taken towards welfare of the people affected by the lockdown. 

IOC Presidents, Mohammed Mansour - Bahrain, Abdullah Manjeri - Saudi Arabia, Dr J Ratan kunar - Oman and Girish kumar - Qatar, highlighted the quality treatment of patients and finacial aid provided by governments and other authorities. Bahrain IOC president Mansour , also  apprised about the 'Food for Needy' drive in Association with KHK Heroes foundation, initiated by HH Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and quality treatments as well as financial aid to local and expat residents.

Anura Mathai, IOC  Global Event Coordinator, spoke about certain problems of Indians in the UAE. IOC Middle East Convener, Mansoor Palloor, emphasised and requested IOC Chairman to urge Indian government to arrange immediate repatriation of indians stranded in Gulf countries. AICC Secretary, Himanshu Vyas, IOC Secretary Dr Arathi Krishna, Dr Arshi Malik (Abha), Mohiuddin Sirajudeen (Jeddah), Advocate Joseph Palathara (Dammam) Prasad Kodru, Jayati Maitra Ziyad Ahmed (Qatar) and Khursheed Alam (Gen Secretary- Bahrain) also apprised the participants about various issues relevant to the pandemic and suggested further initiatives to be undertaken. 

Dr Sam Pitroda briefed about sustained and consolidated efforts by all IOC members  during this unprecedented situation facing the world and assured that he would convey IOC  concerns to the government and try his best to ensure all possible help is made available to all needy Indians.

Dubai: In response to UAE health authorities encourage blood donation campaign Anivasai Kannadigara Okkuta - U.A.E, conducted blood donation camps on April 22 at Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Khaldiya and on 23/04/2020 at Blood Transfusion and Research Centre, Sharjah.

The Abu Dhabi camp was inaugurated by Head of Department of Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, On this occasion she gave brief inputs of the benefits and features of blood donation, urged the participants to spread greater awareness about the importance of blood donation and congratulated the AKO members for their selfless social service and wished all the best for their future endeavours.

Abdul Rasheed, President of AKO presided over the function and Anivasai Kannadigara Okkuta Vice President Mr. Mohammad Nasir appreciated the effort for organizing this camp and gathering youths to be a part of this noble cause as life is precious on this earth. "Each drop of blood counts much, so kindly take it as personal compassion to help unknown who requires blood with no relatives to help him/her.

In Abu Dhabi 41 and in Sharjah 49 donors participated in this event and donated their blood. It was nice to see cheerful smiling donors doing a great community work.
Blood bank staff and AKO Organizing team enthusiastically arranged the campaign which was witnessed by many members and leaders of various community organization of Karnataka.

Anivasai Kannadigara Okkuta President briefed the participates about the ongoing social work of AKO in this current COVID-19 pandemic grim situation AKO is working on following fields: AKO Members have stepped up to support needy community during the Covid-19 pandemic have gone out of their way to comfort those struggling to deal with the challenging situation.

While thousands of people continue to #StayHome, many are in quarantine, there are those on visit visa and stuck here, others have lost jobs or face salary cuts. AKO in coordination with UAE Embassy and other social organization have been able to ensure basic necessities are fulfilled with food provisions and medical assistance to needy.

Providing counselling to bachelors and families those are on quarantine and isolation.

The organizers thanked everybody especially, UAE Health Authority, Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Khaldiya and Blood Transfusion and Research Centre, Sharjah, Management and staff as well as donors for their time and support for the good cause.