July 19, 1999

Delhi

The Indian Red Cross Society in the capital is faced with a unique situation: for the first time since the 1962 war, there is a problem of plenty. Against a normal requirement of 100 units each day, its blood bank has been getting about 400 units from donors. The giant freezers can hold only 750 units, so donors are being discouraged for the time being. Army hospitals being well-stocked, only the negative blood groups are actually sent to Kargil. Some supplies are being routed to upcountry hospitals. "This is an unprecedented situation. We haven't had a summer of surplus as far as my memory goes," says senior nurse Sudesh Katkar. The donors, however, aren't listening. For them, giving blood is the traditional way of showing that they care about our soldiers.

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