Haveri
Blood donation camps for humanitarian causes are nothing new. But this one was truly unique in the sense that this voluntary drive was undertaken to celebrate the birthday of an 8 year old bull, complete with the cutting of a cake and a lunch party.
While the number of donors was capped at 40, more than 100 had showed up at the voluntary blood donation camp, all for their love of Raksasa, the bull, owned by Siddalingesh Wali, a resident of Kerimattihalli village in the district. According to Wali, Raksasa has won several awards in bull-taming competitions and if one were to justify the truth behind the what’s-in-a-name adage, then look no further for this Raksasa. meaning demon is the cynosure of all eyes at Kerimattihalli and its neighbouring villages.
Raksasa, a Kanayam breed, was brought from Tamil Nadu eight years ago. Sharing further details, Wali said: we have trained him in bull taming and he has participated in several competitions in Hangal, Byadagi Shikaripur, Shivamogga and other villages in the vicinity, winning more than 70 prizes, including gold, refrigerator and agricultural equipment.
Prakash Sullalli, a bull-taming enthusiast, said Raksasa has thousands of fans in the district and his birthday is celebrated every year. However, we organised a blood donation camp this time around to make the occasion memorable, he added.
Dr Basavaraj Talawar, Medical Officer of the blood bank involved in the voluntary Blood Donation drive, was full of praise for the initiative undertaken by the villagers and the bull’s owner. They have shown they have a large heart by coming forward to help save lives, Dr Talawar said. According to the organisers, 40 units of blood were collected through the donation drive.
