Yogesh Raj Srivastava: A good Samaritan

Social worker Yogesh Raj Srivastava is helping the people in need through various activities including medical health camps, blood donation camps, awareness seminars, rallies with focus on National Integration and Communal Harmony for several years. 

He has been donating free medicines, sponsoring books for over 400 poor students every year. He is actively involved in relief programs held during the natural calamities like the cyclone that hit Andhra Pradesh in 1996, the Latur earthquake and the cyclone that struck Orissa, by offering necessary provisions like rice, medicines, warm clothing                               

Until today, Yogesh has donated blood for 116 times and entered, Wonder Book of Records for motivating young generation towards donating blood.
       
He is always ready with a helping hand and heart by his poised and calm nature. Speaking with The Hans India, Yogesh Raj Srivastava shared about his social activities.

“I donated blood for the first time on October 2, 1983, in a blood donation camp organised by the Viveka Vardhini College on Gandhi Jayanti. After donating blood, I became very active and asked the doctors about it.

They told me that donating blood regularly is good for health and that is when I decided to do it more often. Till date, I have donated blood for 116 times,” said Yogesh Raj Srivastava.

Due to his efforts, more than 10,000 people have formed a group for blood donation, that is accessible to anyone at any time in the city. More than 8000 patients have benefitted by this group. Srivastava has affiliated himself with many hospitals, societies, and blood banks. He has also signed to donate all his organs after his death. 

“I was watching TV when Mecca Masjid bomb blast happened. I saw the news on television and immediately rushed to the spot. There was panic all around, people were running all over to save themselves. At that time, people were so angry, they started hurling stones at the police and in the result, Lathi Charge happened. 

I shifted wounded people to the ambulances. Meanwhile, many people observed the Tilak on my forehead and mistook me as one of the culprits and attacked me. After knowing about me, they come to me and said sorry,” recollected Yogesh.

Donating of free medicines, sponsoring books for over 400 poor students is being done by him. Every year, he also took an active part in relief programs held during the natural calamities like the cyclone that hit Andhra Pradesh in 1996, the Latur Earthquake and the cyclone that struck Orissa by offering necessary provisions like rice, medicines, warm clothing etc.

His mobile phone rings continuously when someone needs blood, money, books, blankets and so on. Each caller knows that he can call Yogesh for help anytime. He is humble, unassuming and selfless person who has always kept society welfare above his personal interest. At present, he is running a medical shop (JD Medical) at Doodhbowli in Old City.

“Today, there is no value for social workers in the society and even the government do not recognise the efforts of social workers who sacrifice their life for the upliftment of society. As a human, we must do something for the betterment of society. I will donate blood till my last breath. Saving a life is my biggest source of happiness,” added Yogesh Raj Srivastava.

He concluded, “Youth must come forward to organise activities and develop our country. Even today, most of the people think that they will become weak if they donate blood. I hope my story will inspire more people to step ahead for a better society,”

People who wants to get help from him or to work with him may contact 93472 22316 and 92477 86317 or http://www.yogeshrajsrivastava.in