HYDERABAD: “Saving a life is my biggest source of happiness, and I would like to keep serving society till my last breath,” says Dr Yogesh Raj Srivastava, 53, who has donated blood a record 114 times till date, over a 30-year period.
Recounting the incident that changed his life forever, Yogesh said, “I was preparing for SSC exams by reading under a streetlight in the dead of the night.
A police patrol vehicle stopped by, and asked me what I was doing at that time of the hour. Later, when I passed the examinations, the Inspector felicitated me. That day, I had resolved that if I get to a better position in future, I would dedicate my life to serving people in need.”
He first donated blood (O positive) on October 2, 1983. And has been doing it every three months since then. He runs a medical shop in Doodhbowli, and says he gives away three percent profit earned in a year to gift stationery, uniforms, and other materials to poor kids.
During the Mecca Masjid blast in May 2007, Yogesh reached the area and began helping the victims. On seeing the Vermilion on his forehead, a mob mistook him to be the perpetrator and rained blows on him. In recognition of the act of risking his life and rescuing the injured, he was given a Godfrey Phillips Bravery Award in 2008.
On his message for youngsters, Yogesh asks kids to share their birthday cake and gifts received with their less fortunate peers at an orphanage.
“This way, children can be taught from an early age about the oneness of all human beings regardless of their social position, and the joy in giving”, he says. Details: 9247786317