The power of giving B

APS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sydney, (BAPS) organised its 11th annual blood donation drive under the auspices of the Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) earlier this month.

The drive was held in honour of the spiritual guru of the BAPS movement, His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj who turned 89 on 3 December. This was in line with Swamiji’s life motto, “In the joy of others lies our own”.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the fifth spiritual successor of Lord Swaminarayan and the present leader of BAPS. Representing the essence of Hinduism, his compassion for humanity, universal wisdom and striking simplicity have touched many world religious and national leaders.

Two colossal Red Cross donor mobiles were on station at the BAPS Temple from 8am to collect blood from donors. The ARCS Blood Bank’s Parramatta regional manager Andrew Scott, said that this was the first time that two donor mobiles have been set up at one site, showing the enthusiasm of all donors taking advantage of the ability to donate blood at the Mandir. Mr Scott of the Australian Red Cross Society commended BAPS on the well organised blood donation drive and reiterated the importance of giving blood and the hundreds of lives saved by this important act.

The event was meticulously planned with BAPS organisers having already vetted potential donors and allocated them a specific time during the day when they would be slotted in for their blood collection.

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Parramatta and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, was the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony of the drive. Addressing the donors and Red Cross staff who had gathered at the Mandir, Ms Gadiel reiterated the importance of donating blood, describing it as a selfless contribution to society. She congratulated BAPS on organising the drive as well as BAPS’ overall contribution to the local Parramatta community. Ms Gadiel officially inaugurated the drive by lighting the symbolic lamp (deep pragatya). Councillor Prabir Maitra of Parramatta City Council also attended the inauguration.

The donor mobile was capable of collecting blood from four individuals at once, and after each donor was registered they were able to donate their blood. The entire process from registration to collection lasted approximately 45 minutes per donor. Light refreshments were served to all donors through out the day.

The response to the drive was tremendous. Despite the time it took to process each donor, by the time the donor mobile left the Mandir at 4pm, over 100 individuals had been able to donate blood. Many donors had to be turned away on the day and many more individuals were instead asked to donate at the Parramatta Blood Bank later in the week. BAPS organisers had hoped to get at least 89 donors at this year’s drive (as a symbolic honour to Swamiji on his 89th birthday), but as a bonus this target was surpassed with well over 100 people donating their blood.

As a global socio-spiritual organisation with consultative status with the United Nations, BAPS is committed to serving the local community through its various activities. As part of these activities, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sydney, has organised regular blood donation drives over the past years. 2009 also celebrated the 11th year of Sydney Mandir’s annual blood donation drives, which have become a permanent fixture on the Mandir’s annual calendar.

Usually on birthdays we tend to receive more than we give. This was a birthday where more was given and shared than was received.