Blood Donation

Blood Donation
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"Are you willing to donate blood tomorrow?"
"Where?"
"At Kalyan, in my classes."
"What is the timing?"
"It's between 10 AM to 3 PM"
"ok. I will let you know."
"Alright."

One of my childhood friends, Girish pinged me on Whatsapp on Saturday and asked me whether I am ready to attend a blood donation camp or not. He asked me number of times before and I couldn't join him because of many reasons. Even we had blood donation camps in our office but I couldn't attend them either since working in night shift or having a week off. So, I think over it and decided to go with him this time.

Next day morning, we caught a train and reached Kalyan. I was pretty excited about this as it was my only second experience of blood donation. We reached his classes and filled up enrollment forms. The camp was about to begin. In the meantime Girish was giving me information about camp and his classes. Then we stood in a queue and we have asked to visit a desk where weight checks, hemoglobin checks will be done and noted on our cards. After this, we visited another desk where the nurse has checked the blood pressure and asked a series of questions to ensure we are eligible to attend this camp or not. It followed with actual process of blood donation.

I lied down on bed and doctor gave me rubber ball to keep pressing so that blood comes out. She injected the steel tip of blood bag tube in my vein. I was calm and pressing the ball slowly. I was observing other people who were being part of this camp. Till the time, I was feeling well as I was doing something good for society. At next moment, I got shocked when I saw two blind men entering the room. Did they also come for the blood donation? Yes, they did. I was amazed. And certain questions started striking my mind. How will they go through it? If they can't see anything, then how will they come to know what to do next?

I was just observing them closely. The camp assistants helped them to go thru' every desk and then doctor started taking blood from them. I finished with my work and then got out of bed. Assistants asked me to sit down and offered me a cup of coffee. I and Girish finished our task and came out of the room. My curiosity about those blind men was still there. I went again inside and asked the camp in-charge about both of them. I took the permission to click both of them. And he gave me amazing information of them. Also, he allowed me to share it on social websites.

Their names were Mr. Hozefa Tambawala and Mr. Zujar Kanchwala. They were relatives of each other and it was their 7th time doing this. I was amazed. Another question struck my mind, if these blind people can donate the blood, then why not us who are fit and fine? It was quite inspiring. I have decided to donate blood after every three months and provide such a service to our society. What you think?

Sunit S. Pendse
21st May 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com

A Note

A Note
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Dear love,

It's been long time we have seen each other. This war has started only 2 years ago but I feel like I have spent millions of years here. From your last received note, I could just see the way you cared for me and wanted to come back as soon as possible because, you are afraid of my failure. To fight for our beloved country and to see you again, I fought hard and took many of their soldiers down. This war is about to end in any minute and I will be home very soon.

Last night, as we received orders to prepare ourselves for final battle beginning after a couple of days, we were much happy and excited to finish it. We started preparing plans for the vacations just like kids. Everyone was happy and laughing after hearing plans of our own. Then I returned to my bed and I picked out your photograph from the bag just like every night. I smiled and went into memories. After hearing the word "the final battle", somehow I started missing you so much. I don't know how, but its happening. I was thinking about us. I remembered the places we had visited and the time we spent. It was a great feeling last night.

Later, I was thinking about this war. Why it has started? And what we achieved from this? We achieved nothing but just killing people and destroying their state with bombs. We destroyed a lot including many structures, sculptures and human lives. We destroyed families. Till now I was the one who was enjoying it, who was ready for anything to do for his country and so I am still. But after seeing so much of blood and destruction, I feel like I should quit this job and do something constructive for our country.

When I think this way, I remember your voice saying "By destroying them, you are making your people safer to live peacefully. You fight for them and it's your job to do so as you are on front." These words give me an ultimate strength during such emotional moments on the battlefield.

When I kill people and see their blood, a human from my body comes out and I start feeling sorry for them and their families. I pray to God so that they will rest in peace. Our commander commands us for being just a fighter and not the human. Sometimes I don't like that and I can't stop being human again. I become weak during such situations. But your memories make me strong. The stories you told me about ancient wars, they give me strength to fight. And it becomes easy for me to become soldier again.

As this is going to be the last battle, this will be my last note written to you from the battlefield. Don't worry dear, I won't fall and will fight hard so that I will be able to see you again. And we will be able to have fun and live life peacefully. I want to tell you how much I love you, how much you mean to me in this world! I roamed around the world but I never saw prettier face than yours. I feel your presence. It always encourages me. You are my energy, you are my strength. Our memories make me feel better whenever I am down. And I will be home again to create new of them.

If in case, you hear any news about me before receiving this note, take care of yourself and give strength to my parents. Please don't cry and never be sad. I can't see tears in your eyes and I am always there around you. Just pray to God so that I will be back soon! Amen!

Absolutely yours,
A soldier of our country

Sunit S. Pendse
7th May 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com