Youth Should Welcome the New Year by Donating Blood, Not by Intoxication: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Thane : Continuing the tradition initiated by Dharmaveer Anand Dighe, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde set an inspiring example by personally donating blood at the midnight blood donation camp organized to welcome the New Year. Instead of celebrating the New Year with intoxication on December 31, Shinde urged the youth to embrace the New Year by donating blood, carrying forward Anand Dighe’s teachings.

Every year, Thane city hosts a midnight blood donation camp and a state-level “Raktakarn Puraskar” (Blood Donation Awards) ceremony. This year, numerous blood donors from across the state participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shinde praised the initiative and congratulated all the participants.

Former MLA Ravindra Phatak, former Mayor Naresh Mhaske, Meenakshi Shinde, Hemant Pawar, former councilor Sudhir Kokate, former Transport Committee Chairman Vilas Joshi, and other dignitaries such as Mangesh Chivate, Special Officer of the CM’s Medical Assistance Cell, Nikhil Budjade, and Swanand Pawar were present.

During the event, CM Shinde presented the “Raktanand Awards” to blood donors and honored notable organizations and individuals contributing to this noble cause. Additionally, artificial limbs and aids were distributed to some specially-abled individuals.

CM Shinde highlighted that this is the only event worldwide where the New Year is welcomed in this manner, and it has been running uninterrupted for 29 years. He reiterated that blood donation is the highest form of charity. Reflecting on a previous mega blood donation camp held during Navratri, where over 11,000 donors participated, he expressed satisfaction that many youths stepped forward voluntarily to donate blood for this event.

He also extended his gratitude to all the blood donors, organizations, and doctors who participated, and honored senior police officers from Thane city who contributed by donating blood.

The Chief Minister extended New Year wishes and emphasized the ongoing “Deep Clean Drive” in Mumbai and Maharashtra, promoting the vision of “Beautiful Cities, Clean Cities, Green Cities.” The initiative, launched at the Gateway of India, has shown positive results across various locations, with 10 areas in Mumbai participating and over 1 lakh citizens directly involved. Shinde mentioned plans to expand this drive statewide.

Over the past 18 months, the government has prioritized decisions that benefit the common people. Maharashtra has reclaimed the top spot in foreign investment, surpassing Karnataka and Gujarat. With ₹1.37 lakh crore worth of MoUs signed at Davos last year, 85% of these projects have already commenced, and this year is expected to bring record-breaking investments into the state.

Currently, Maharashtra leads the nation in the number of development projects underway, and CM Shinde expressed confidence that the upcoming year would also belong to Maharashtra.