Blood Bank Society anniversary celebrations
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18
The first anniversary celebrations of the Rotary and Blood Bank Society Blood Resource Centre, Sector 37, will begin on June 21, running up to a grand finale on its special foundation day on June 26. Cricketing legend Kapil Dev has agreed to be the guest of honour and will start off the festivities with a special appearance at the blood centre at 11 am on June 21.

A voluntary blood donor several times over, Kapil Dev will also meet with the donors and will sign and give away certificates to those who donate blood at the centre.

The culmination of the anniversary celebrations will be marked by a lucky draw on June 26 in which all those donating blood at the centre in this week will automatically qualify.

The blood centre is driven by Mrs Kanta Saroop Krishen who even after working tirelessly for 41 years still constitutes the moral fibre of the voluntary blood donation movement in the city. “We believe this is a unique contribution towards the development of the region which is working hard towards building a bank of voluntary, safe and infection-free blood,” says Mrs Krishen.

So, light up a life by donating blood for that is the simple mantra that the blood centre is working hard to establish.

‘Eyeing’ to excel in athletics
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, June 18
It was a joyous moment for two teenage boys of the Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, when they were honoured for their achievements in sports by the Chairman of the Institute, Maj Gen Rajendra Nath (retd).

Sunil Kumar and Mandeep Singh were among 28 disabled boys selected by the Paraolympic Committee of India to take part in the DSE British International Open Athletics Championships 2005 held at Manchester (England) from June 10 to 12.

In this meet, more than 400 disabled athletes drawn from various countries took part.

While Sunil romped home with two medals — one gold medal in javelin throw and a silver medal in shot put — Mandeep secured fourth place in 400m. He took part in 200m and 800m also.

Both were happy with the way the tournament was conducted and the honour they got. Sunil said before their departure, they were not sure of any medal as it was their maiden experience outside India.

Both practised for hours at Sector 7 sports complex. It was also for the first time that both had travelled by air.

Though they could not see the city with their eyes, whatever they felt and experienced was memorable, they said.

They said they wished to excel in future tournaments also. Though they cleared the Class XII examination with first division this year, they wish to shine in athletics.

Administration’s apathy