Pahle hum, pahle hum was heard in the Bihar Assembly complex on Saturday when the MlAs vied with each other in taking lead to donate their blood. The lawmakers of different parties lined up to occupy the beds, especially brought for them to lay and donate blood.
They even cracked jokes. One ruling party MlA was heard telling BJP legislator, “I will donate one unit and you should donate two units because we have to work more and you are relaxing in Opposition.”
In all 112 legislators of different parties, including about a dozen women, donated their blood on Saturday to mark the annual meeting of the Bihar branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Each MlAs donated 350 ml of blood and they belonged to different age groups below 65 years.
Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary, who had mooted this idea in order to serve humanity and involve the legislators in yeomen service and also for the makeover of the MlAs public image, also donated blood. Next to his bed lay Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.
Yadav was escorted to the room where blood was given by his mother and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi. However, her elder son and Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav was conspicuous by absence. A number of officials of his department including Principal Secretary Health, apart from doctors and para medical staff were present. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had scheduled meeting in Rajgir, was also not present.
“I am quite excited to see the enthusiasm of the legislators. Their move will certainly send a positive message to the society,” said Speaker Choudhary who also hosted lunch for the participant at the meeting.
The blood totaling about 3360 Ml has been donated to the blood bank at Patna Medical College Hospital for transfusion to the poor, needy patients.
After the Commonwealth meeting, a session was held in which the legislators were informed about cancer. Famous surgeon AA Hai, who is also very active in cancer awareness campaign and anti-tobacco movement told them about the growing menace of the disease and how to check it. Hai also answered queries of the MlAs about the disease.