By Purushottam Nayak

Jharsuguda, April 28, 2020: A differently-abled woman in Odisha has won praises when she volunteered to donate blood to ease shortage during the nationwide lockdown.

“My blood can solve the shortage at least a bit in the lockdown time,” Sarajini Sahoo said after donating blood on April 26 at Brudaban Colony, Beheramal in the Jharsuguda district.

The 27-year-old woman’s gesture has won admirers such as Sister Clara D’Souza. “I am really inspired by Sarajini,” the Handmaids of Mary nun told Matters India.

Sister D’Souza says religious, priests, and lay people have forward to help the poor during the lockdown. “This woman came forward like the widow in the Bible who offered whatever she had for her survival,” she explained.

Hailing Sahoo’s “great sacrifice,” the Catholic nun said many Hindus like her have come to sacrifice in various ways in the battle against coronavirus.

Advocate Sandeep Awesthy from Jharsuguda says voluntary blood donation is an altruistic and non-remunerative act. Sahoo “has done a great contribution to save lives in the time emergency,” he said.

The woman’s husband Tukuna Sahoo says he is proud of his wife. “Although she is unable to walk without aid she took the courage to donate blood to help others,” he added.

India began the nationwide lockdown from March 25 to curb the spread of Covid-19. The lockdown is scheduled to end on Mary 3, but talks are on among the federal government and governments on the need to extend it further.

During the lockdown, blood banks across Odisha report huge shortages because of the sharp drop in donors. People find it increasingly tough to find blood in 83 blood banks in the state, including 27 privately owned. Blood is required by those suffering from anemia, leukemia, thalassemia and several other diseases.

The lockdown has halted donation camps conducted by voluntary organizations, clubs, non-profits and religious organisations in the state.

Sahoo volunteered when her colony organized the blood donation camp with permission from the administration. State Health Minister Kishor Das commended the colony that collected 101 units of blood.