Blood brothers

Shaken by the incident,Manoj,a resident of Chandannagore in Hooghly,decided to join a non-governmental organization,Hooghly District Voluntary Blood Donors Association,which holds awareness camps for the cause of blood donation. In no time,Manoj had become an active member of the club,orgainsing awareness campaigns in remote villages of the district.

“But it would be a fallacy if I did not do what I taught,” says Manoj,who even earned a bravery award from a private company a few days back for his work.

A good kabaddi player himself,Manoj has represented the state at various state-level championships. As part of the Amateur Kabaddi Club of India,Manoj spends a good deal of time teaching kabaddi to village children.

But money was a problem. An occasional help from family members and friends would help Manoj carry out his campaigns and kabaddi classes.

“My satisfaction is that around 30-35 of these children have been employed by the Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railways. I am happy these boys have been well placed,” he says.   

“At times,I was ashamed I did not have a steady income. I was also afraid my work may be affected because of my marriage,” says Manoj.

However,fate smiled when Manoj,who has an English (honors) degree,got himself a job with a private company two years back. He is now confident he can fulfill his responsibilities of running his family as well as pursue his passion for organizing blood donation camps.

“It’s time now to settle down as a family man. I have steady source of income and I am confident of myself now,” he says.