Riyadh - A section of the Indian community here celebrated their country's 63rd Republic Day by donating blood to commemorate the date on which the Constitution of India came into force.

Even-though India received its independence on August 15, 1947, the Constitution of India came into force only on 26 January 1950.

Around 300 members of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), a social organisation from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, gathered at the King Fahad Medical City and donated 111 liters of blood, last Friday.

Faisal Mohamed, an engineer working with a company and a TNTJ president, said that the organisation's members decided to celebrate the country's Republic day in a meaningful manner and express patriotism in a way that could help others and save lives.

"We marked our country's 63rd Republic day in a unique style by organising a massive blood donation camp in Riyadh. We did that to Honor the heroes of India's freedom struggle," said Mohamed.

He said each member of TNTJ visited the KFMC and donated 450 ml of blood. The entire procedure from the general health check to blood donation took less than 30 minutes.

Dr. Fathou Al Alem, Chief at KFMC Blood Bank and Mr. Abdul Majeed, Coordinator at KFMC Blood bank lauded the group for the voluntary service. "Such camps will create awareness among people, both Saudis and expatriates living in the Kingdom," they added.

We are guided by Quranic teaching that says “… And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the life of all mankind! ...” (Al-Quran 5:32)

We got a overwhelming response from our community members as well as from others, TNTJ Blood donation coordinator Mohamed Maheen added.

TNTJ is comprised of a group of Tamil-speaking youths whose aim is to serve the people. In the past, blood donated in Riyadh was sent to Makkah and Madinah for Haj pilgrims. The group has also collected blood in July last year for Umrah Pilgrims.

Donating blood is a fast and simple procedure. Blood donors can donate up to 450 ml of blood (one unit) every two and half to three months; this amount is small, given that the body contains five to six liters (10 to 12 units) of blood. The full blood donation procedure, took no more than 20 to 30 minutes. " What is 1/2 hour compared to a lifetime of help to others who are in need ".

There are a number of different blood types - O positive and negative, A positive and negative, B positive and negative, AB positive and negative. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups, but in an emergency, anyone can receive type O Neg red blood cells, therefore people with type O blood are known as 'universal donors', and those with type AB blood are known as 'universal recipients'.

The voluntary donors of more than 300, included mothers from Tamil Nadu whose husbands are working in the kingdom. Pakistanis, Srilankans, Bangladeshis & Egyptians also participated in this drive. A standard health screening procedure was done prior to blood being donated. Each donor underwent tests for blood pressure, sugar and haemoglobin count before the donation. The checks also included communicable diseases.

KFMC has seven hospitals including Cardiology, Maternity, Paediatric and Emergency section.