JALANDHAR/ PHAGWARA  JULY 6

          The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called for 'a culture of conscious, cordiality and understanding' among political parties.

          Mr. Badal strongly decried 'the growing trends towards political confrontation, as witnessed in Punjab in recent years' and said that 'the creative energies' of the people, the politicians and the government must never be frittered away in futile enmities amongst leaders. The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at a function organised by Shri Ram Navmi Utsav Committee, Jalandhar to honour the representatives of various Ram Lila and Dussehra Committees of the state here this after noon.

          Mr. Badal said that the tendency among some political leaders to place personal agenda alone people's welfare had already resulted in considerable wastage of national time and energy and it is time to get back to an atmosphere where personal relations are befit free from political differences.

          The Chief Minister also called for the consolidation of the atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the state and work with full dedication to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between all sections of the society to begin an era of world's exemplary peace, amity and multi dimensional growth in the country.

Shimla, 6 July (Bharat Sandesh) : Dr. Rajeev Bindal, Health and Ayurveda Minister said that blood bank unit of Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla will be developed as independent department. He was addressing the people in a blood donation camp at Solan today, which was organized by Solan Unit of Sant Nirankari Mission.

Dr. Bindal said that Himachal Pradesh is one of the four best States of the Country in regard of voluntary blood donation. He said that 76 % adult people are voluntary blood donor in the State.  District Solan of the State has earned first position in voluntary blood donation as 96% adult people donate blood voluntarily, he added.  

Dr. Bindal lauded the efforts of the Sant Nirankari Mission in the field of blood donation and said that today women are also aware about blood donation and they are donating blood voluntarily.

Health Minister said that 18 blood banks are working in the State and people are coming forward for blood donation. He said that Himachal has capacity to store 3500 units of blood.

Health Minister said that health facilities were being strengthened in the State. He said that Tanda Medical College was also being developed at par with IGMC and Rs. 100 crore were being spent for providing modern health facilities.