Dr. Shikha Mishra
Dr Anil Verma, a record 155-time blood donor and national secretary of the Federation of Blood Donor Organizations of India, was honoured for his outstanding contribution to blood donation and the national “Raktadan–Jeevan Dan” campaign.
Dehradun, August 26: Former state minister and Prayag IAS Academy director R.A. Khan called upon citizens to balance their rights with their duties and uphold the values of responsible citizenship at a cultural and felicitation programme organised to mark India’s 80th Independence Day.
Speaking at the “Azadi Ka Paigaam, Insaniyat Ke Naam” (Message of Freedom, In the Name of Humanity) programme at the Sanskriti Vibhag auditorium in Dehradun, Khan said the sacrifices of freedom fighters must always be remembered and that the true meaning of independence lies in responsible participation in nation-building.
“Freedom does not mean licence. We must prove ourselves to be ideal citizens,” Khan said, stressing that people of all religions must perform their duties alongside exercising their rights for the country’s progress.
The programme was jointly coordinated by Arif Khan, national president of the National Association for Parents and Students Rights (NAPSR), and Mohammad Shah Nazar, senior editor and district secretary of the Journalists Union of Uttarakhand. It was organised with support from Kohinoor Jewellers, Insaaf Ki Awaaz and Prayag IAS Academy.
Former state minister Yaqoob Siddiqui attended as the chief guest. Other distinguished guests included the former president of the Urdu Academy Uttarakhand, Father J.P. Singh, former dean; Sherring Luding, chairperson of Tara Foundation; Sheikh Mohammad Yusuf, president of Dayitva Foundation Trust; and Sheikh Mohd Iqbal Hussain, director of Kohinoor Art Gallery.
Poetry, Patriotism and a Message of Humanity
The cultural programme featured a mushaira and poetry recitations by more than 30 poets, who used poetry and satire to explore themes of patriotism, national integration, humanity, love, brotherhood, tolerance and communal harmony, besides contemporary political and social issues.
Among those who participated were Javed Aasi Deobandi, Ansar Siddiqui Kairana, Iqbal Aazar, Badruddin Zia, Aslam Khataulvi, Dhananjay Upadhyay, Shahdab Mashhadi, Ambika Singh Ruhi, Sunil Sahil, Monika Mantasha, Shiv Charan Sharma Muztar, Bharti Anand, Naushad Ahmed Naushad, Rajesh Anand Asir, Zafar Ahmed Zafar, Dard Garhwal, Amjad Khan Amjad, Vijay Kumar Droni, Paramvir Kaushik, Imtiaz Ahmed, Deepak Arora, Kul Bhushan Kharbanda, Rahi Nahtouri, Shaakh Doonvi, Rajkumar Raj, Chetan Singh Khadka and Aman Raturi.
The performances combined patriotic sentiment with messages of social harmony and humanity, turning the Independence Day gathering into a platform for cultural expression as well as reflection on contemporary society.
155-Time Blood Donor Dr Anil Verma Honoured
One of the key highlights of the programme was the felicitation of Dr Anil Verma, a record 155-time blood donor and national secretary of the Federation of Blood Donor Organizations of India.
Verma was honoured with the “Azadi Ka Paigaam, Manavta Ke Naam” Special Honour in recognition of his contribution to blood donation and humanitarian service. He has also played a notable role in the national “Raktadan–Jeevan Dan” campaign and is associated with the District Youth Red Cross Society.
The special honour and commemorative plaque were presented to Verma by R.A. Khan and Yaqoob Siddiqui.
Expressing his gratitude, Verma thanked NAPSR national president Arif Khan and Insaaf Ki Dastak editor Mohammad Shah Nazar for recognising his contribution to the blood-donation movement.
Independence and Civic Responsibility
The central message of the programme was that the celebration of independence should extend beyond ceremonies and become an occasion for citizens to reflect on their responsibilities towards society and the nation.
Khan emphasised that exercising constitutional rights must go hand in hand with fulfilling civic responsibilities. He called for responsible citizenship, mutual respect and a continued commitment to national development.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by programme coordinator and senior editor Mohammad Shah Nazar, while poet Ansar Siddiqui Kairana conducted the proceedings.
The gathering brought together poetry, patriotism and humanitarian recognition, highlighting how cultural platforms can be used not only to celebrate national occasions but also to promote social harmony, civic responsibility and the spirit of humanity.
