Lucknow: Blood donation is the greatest gift, and by donating it voluntarily, we can help patients in need. It’s good to donate blood on special occasions like a child’s birthday, parents’ anniversary, or your own wedding anniversary, said Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.He was speaking at a blood donation camp at KGMU on Monday, organised to mark his birthday on July 1. The camp was organised by members of the Maurya, Shakya, Kushwaha, and Saini communities, where 107 youth and party workers donated blood. Akhilesh praised the volunteers and called the event a true example of socialism and public service.Targeting the state govt, the former CM said, “Health services in Uttar Pradesh are in the ICU. Hospitals are in poor shape, and facilities exist only on paper. The poor are left to fend for themselves.” He added that the medical infrastructure built during the SP govt is now being neglected.Praising KGMU, Yadav said the institution is among the most respected globally, with its doctors serving worldwide. “If the SP returns to power, we’ll invest every possible resource to build world-class institutions and ensure the poor get proper treatment,” he said.He also criticised the BJP-led govt over the state of business and industry, calling the situation an “economic emergency.”He said that a major UP-based infrastructure firm was being sold, warning that privatisation is harming employment and economic growth. “If businesses thrive, jobs will grow, and the economy will strengthen,” he said.On environmental issues, he alleged that the BJP failed to clean rivers despite large budgets. “They didn’t clean rivers—they cleaned out the funds,” he said, promising to beautify the Gomti riverfront and install a statue of freedom fighter Virangana Devi Paswan if the SP returns to power.He thanked the PDA (pichda, dalit, alpsankhyak) workers for organising the camp, urging that his birthday be celebrated as a day of service and social commitment.
