Amid the somewhat surcharged atmosphere in the city post June 3 violent protest against alleged objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammed, a 35-year-old Hindu man Abhimanyu Gupta set an example of communal harmony by donating blood to a Muslim woman undergoing dialysis at a hospital in the city.
The attendants of the ailing woman Shahana, who was a complete stranger to Abhimanyu, had put out an SOS saying that she needed more blood to which Abhimanyu responded voluntarily.
Shahana is a native of neighbouring Kannauj and happens to be the mother of army jawan Adnan Khan, who is presently posted in Srinagar. Abhimanyua, a lawyer and social activist who lives in the city’s Cantt area, received a call from the family members of Shahana, requesting him to help save her life as she had to undergo dialysis and was in dire need of two units of blood.
Without giving a second thought, Abhimanyu decided to save the life of Shahana. He immediately rushed to Ursala hospital and went to the Blood Unit to donate his blood. Shahana was to undergo dialysis at Seven Air Force hospital on Saturday.
Abhimanyu, who is socially active and popular on social media, said he received a call about a Muslim woman with Army background in need of blood. “I got a call from the woman’s family members, requesting me to help arrange blood for her. Without any hesitation, I decided to donate the blood myself. I am satisfied that I have helped a mother whose son is ready to sacrifice his life for us Indians. This small gesture of mine is nothing in front of what her son is doing at the borders. Our religion may be different but the colour of our blood is the same. Also, we are Indian first and then Hindu and Muslims,” Abhimanyu told .
“I don’t have words for Abhimanyu. As per my family members, someone suggested that we should try to contact lawyer-cum-social activist Abhimanyu Gupta,” said Adnan.
Shahana, suffering from kidney ailment, requires regular blood transfusions. “Only blood transfusion on a regular basis will keep her alive,” said her family members.
Shahana’s family members thanked Abhimanyu. They said, “On one side some anarchists are conspiring to burn the country in the politics of communalism and hatred, on the other hand today an example of national unity has been set by Abhimanyu. No one can separate the Hindus and Muslims of the country. We are thankful for what Abhimanyu has done for us,” they added.