Sindoor Maharaktadan Yatra: 800 Shiv Sena workers donate blood in Delhi

Eknath Shinde said the large number of registrations showed the enthusiasm among party workers to support members of the armed forces. Pic/X

Around 800 Shiv Sena workers, sportspersons and wrestlers donated blood at the Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment as part of the party's ‘Sindoor Maharaktadan Yatra', an official statement, issued by Eknath Shinde's office said on Monday.

The blood donation camp was organised on the occasion of Kranti Din. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attended the event.

Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh praised the blood donors and Shiv Sena workers from Maharashtra.

He said Operation Sindoor demonstrated the courage and valour of the Indian armed forces, while the blood donation campaign represented the spirit of service, humanity and patriotism.

Singh said it was commendable that people from Maharashtra travelled hundreds of kilometres to Delhi to donate blood for soldiers.

He also said the donors had carried forward the tradition of courage and compassion associated with the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Describing blood donation as a form of "maha daan", Singh said the blood collected during the camp could prove valuable for soldiers and their families during emergencies.

16,000 registered to donate blood

Eknath Shinde said the response from Shiv Sena workers had been overwhelming.

According to Shinde, around 9,000 people had registered for last year's blood donation camp, while the number rose to around 16,000 this year.

However, only 800 people were able to donate blood at the Delhi military hospital because of its available capacity and the arrangements made for the camp, he said.

Shinde said the large number of registrations showed the enthusiasm among party workers to support members of the armed forces.

'Blood donors are also warriors'

Shinde said soldiers guarding the country's borders allow citizens to live peacefully in their homes.

He described donating blood for soldiers as an act of national service.

"Those donating blood today are also true warriors," Shinde said, referring to them as "blood heroes".

Shiv Sena's Lok Sabha group leader Dr Shrikant Shinde and Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant also donated blood at the camp.

The organisers said their participation was intended to express gratitude towards members of the armed forces and encourage other party workers to contribute.

The camp was led by ‘Double Maharashtra Kesari' Chandrhar Patil.

Senior leaders and military officers attend

The event was attended by Union Minister of State Prataprao Jadhav, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora and Rajya Sabha member Dr Jyoti Waghmare.

Senior military officers, including Vice Admiral Aarti Sareen, Lieutenant General Ranjit Singh, Lieutenant General Neeraj Sethi and Lieutenant General Avinash Das, were also present.

All those who donated blood were presented with certificates by the military hospital.

The event concluded with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai', ‘Vande Mataram' and ‘Jai Maharashtra'.