Aug 18, 2023 : On the occasion of India's 77th Independence Day, Bhu-Santrastara Hitarakshana Samiti Balkunje-Ulepady-Kollur and Blood Help Care Karnataka (R), in collaboration with Catholic Sabha Balkunje, ICYM and YCS Balkunje Unit, Health Commission Balkunje, Hale Vidyarthi Sangha Kollur, Muhiyuddin Jumma Masjid Karnire, Vithobha Rakhumayi Bajhana Mandira Balkunje, Kidma Young Men's Karnire, Yuvaka Mandala Ulepady, Rickshaw Chalaka Malakara Sangha Balkunje, and AJ Hospital Blood Bank, organized a blood donation camp on August 15. The main objective of this camp was to save our agricultural land, which the government plans to acquire for industrial purposes, through blood donation. Alongside this, VCARE Health and Eye Center organized free eye checkups and distributed frames, while HEXA Lab organized general health checkups. The events took place at Balkunje Church Hall.
Rev. Fr. Paul Sequeira - Parish Priest of St. Paul's Church Balkunje, Denis D'Souza - President of Bhu-Santrastara Hitarakshana Samiti, Samsuddin - Convener of Blood Help Care Karnataka (R), Dr. Freeda Rodrigues - Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, St. Paul's Church Balkunje, Janet Rebello - Convener of Health Commission Balkunje, Melreeda Jane Rodrigues - President of Catholic Sabha Balkunje Unit, Clarissa Maria Cardoza - Vice President of ICYM Balkunje, Rahil Rodrigues - President of YCS Balkunje, Umesh Naik - President of Kollur Hale Vidyarthi Sangha, Rajesh Shetty - President of Yuvaka Mandala Ulepady, Dayanand Shetty - President of Vithoba Rakhumayi Mandir Balkunje, Mr. Dinakara Shetty - President of Rickshaw Chalaka Malakara Sangha Balkunje (R) and AJ Hospital staff were present on the dais.
Fr. Paul Sequeira, in his Presidential address, emphasized that donating blood to save a life and living in harmony are the most noble deeds a person can do. Many donors participated in this noble cause, donating blood to save the lives of fellow humans without considering religion or caste. Denis D'Souza welcomed the gathering, Rajesh Shetty delivered the vote of thanks, and Dinakara Shetty compered the program.