PRAFULL LANDE
TRACY, California: On April 28, the Northern California chapter of the Sant Nirankari Mission celebrated ‘Manav Ekta Diwas’ in Tracy by hosting a Blood Drive in collaboration with American Red Cross. Volunteers of the Sant Nirankari Mission worked hard for planning and making arrangements for the blood donation camp. Communication mediums such as fliers, newspapers, emails, internet as well as word of mouth were used to make everyone aware of the event and as it turned out that the effort was not in vain.
The Sant Nirankari Mission, a spiritual movement working towards universal brotherhood, celebrates ‘Manav Ekta Divas’ (Human Unity Day), every year in the month of April by organizing blood donation camps and health fairs all over the world. His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh ji’s message was “Blood should flow in the veins, not on the street” and “Let there be peace, not pieces”.
The blood donatiopn camp received an overwhelming response. Kerry Morris from American Red Cross appreciated the efforts of all the volunteers. She mentioned that around 57 people registered and 49 units of blood were collected. This will potentially save around 147 lives. American Red Cross was excited to see the zeal of the donors and the response that the camp received. Blood donors came from places as far as Reno, Fresno, San Jose, and Sacramento. The bank has promised to visit again next year.
Representatives from the blood bank as well as the volunteers of the Sant Nirankari Mission (sewadal) gathered at the Tracy Bhavan very early in the morning to set up the blood camp. Snacks, fruits and juices were arranged for the blood donors. In a hall, adjacent to the camp, a satsang program (spiritual congregation) was conducted with a message of human unity and universal brotherhood. This message of human unity was not just listened to but being lived by the people who participated in the blood donation camp. After the congregation, langar (community lunch) was served.
I got a chance to speak to a few blood donors. Hardev Saini, a resident of San Ramon, expressed his joy as a participant and promised to visit again for such blood drive next year. Many youths donated blood for the first time and felt deep satisfaction by supporting this noble cause. Overall, the feeling was the same amongst the blood donors and everyone seemed very happy by contributing to this noble cause.
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.
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.
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