Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen): Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated a mega blood donation camp at the IDCO Exhibition Ground in Unit-III, Bhubaneswar, marking the beginning of the month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that donating blood to save a life reflects the highest values of humanity. “Despite advances in science, there is no substitute for blood, and it cannot be manufactured in any factory,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief Minister planted an Ashoka sapling at Lok Seva Bhawan.
Extending greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the people of Odisha on his 76th birthday, Majhi said that Modi’s long public service and 25 years of continuous political leadership have brought significant transformation to the country. Inspired by his welfare-oriented ideals, the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is not merely a programme but a mass movement dedicated to human service and sacrifice, he said.
The Chief Minister said the state government is committed to ensuring that no life is lost prematurely due to a shortage of blood. The mega blood donation camp has set a target of collecting more than 6,500 units of blood.
He further said that the state government has launched the ‘Atal Blood Donation Campaign’ with an allocation of Rs 50.54 crore in the 2026-27 Budget to strengthen blood security in Odisha. Under the initiative, blood banks are being established in new medical colleges, while existing blood banks are being modernised.
Highlighting India’s development, Majhi said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the country has emerged as an influential geopolitical and economic power. He said India’s dependence on defence imports has declined from 70 per cent to 35 per cent, while the country is moving towards self-reliance in sectors such as semiconductors and space technology.
He expressed confidence that the goal of building a developed India would be achieved before 2047. Calling upon the youth of Odisha to devote some time from their daily lives to social service and work for the nation, Majhi said that such service would be the best tribute to Prime Minister Modi.
Urban Development and Housing Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the day was not an ordinary occasion but a significant opportunity to remember Prime Minister Modi’s 25 years of dedicated service and commitment. He stressed the importance of blood donation in saving precious lives and said that everyone should cultivate a spirit of service and dedication.
Mahapatra expressed confidence that the mega blood donation camp would create a new record in blood collection in the state.
Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal said Prime Minister Modi had created a unique record by successfully serving as a public representative for 25 consecutive years. He said Modi had established a distinct identity globally through his continuous service to the people.
Samal said the mega blood donation camp would help address the shortage of blood that has been witnessed in blood banks since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Khurda MLA Prashant Kumar Jagdev, Bhatli MLA Irashis Acharya, Mahakalapada MLA Durga Prasanna Nayak, youth leader Abhilash Panda, senior party leaders, blood donors, young volunteers and media representatives were present at the event.
