AGARTALA, September 7 (TIWN): Calling upon new blood donors to donate blood generously, today Member of Legislative Assembly Ratan Das said that the state has earned a very important position in the country when it comes to blood collection through voluntary blood donation camps.

There is no alternative of blood said Member of Legislative Assembly Ratan Das while speaking in a blood donation camp organized by Sristi at Agartala Press Club here today. Mr. Das appreciated the initiative of the Sristi for organizing the blood donation camp.

Of the total requirement of blood during the current financial year (2013-14), 99% was collected through voluntary donation. With the end of the year (financial year) in March, it would be 100%, he added.

 Saying that the voluntary blood donation movement became a festival in Tripura, the MLA urged young people to generously donate blood to save lives. Mostly the women participated in the blood donation camp, said Secretary of Sristi Gopa Sengupta.

A total of 30 people donated blood in the blood donation camp. According to National Aids Control Organization, only five states in India have the distinction of over 80% blood collection through voluntary donation against the national average of 55 to 60%. The states are Tripura, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab and Maharashtra.