The three-day conference with "Safe Blood in 21st Century" as its theme started today as a galaxy of doctors, experts, voluntary donors and motivators converged at HMT Pinjore auditorium to attend the national conference. However, Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal who was scheduled to inaugurate the conference could not make it and the obligation fell to the health minister.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Health Department (Haryana), Komal Anand said that it was high time stringent steps were taken to promote voluntary blood donations and discourage transfusion of diseased blood since 540 cases of HIV positive blood had already been reported in Haryana.

Dr B.K. Sharma, Director, PGI also stressed on the need for healthy blood transfusion and for more agencies to take the initiative.

Awards for tireless contribution for the cause were also given away on the occasion. Mother Teresa Memorial Award was given to Kanta Saroop Krishen while ISBTI Award was given to Nirankari Mandal, Chandigarh. Mandelia Institutional Award was given to Kota Blood Bank Rajasthan while Mandelia Individual Award was bagged by Kulbhushan Arora of Delhi. J.R. Jolly award was bagged by S.K. Verma of Indore and A.N. Kashyap award went to Narender Mandal of Chandigarh.