Blood Donation is Life’s Passion for Doctor’s Family

  •   Wed, Oct 26 2011
  •   By Concepta Alva

October 26, 2011 

All religions of the world uphold the importance of donations. Donation and sacrifice are the two faces of the same coin. This is exemplified by a joint family of Mangalore—the Sharavu Shastry family’, the priests of Sharavu Sri Mahaganapathy Temple, Hampankatta—where all the seven members in the age group 18-60 are voluntary blood donors on a regular basis.

Dr Shastry, a paediatric practitioner in Mangalore, had his first encounter with blood donation in 1981 accidentally. He was a student of medicine in Belgaum where an infant was admitted to the college hospital. The baby needed a blood transfusion for survival and its parents, being illiterate, refused to give their blood for fear of weakness or other consequences. Moved by the condition of the infant, Dr Sudesh donated blood and the child survived. There has been no looking back since then.                             


Dr Shastry


Elders of Sharavu Family along with Concepta Alva


Dr Shastry had to face strong criticism and opposition from friends and colleagues. Undeterred, he has been donating blood continuously for the last 30 years, thus helping save several lives. He has even succeeded in convincing the members of his family, who were his critics earlier, to donate blood.

Dr Shastry believes that charity should begin at home. Apart from donating blood and getting his own family members to donate blood regularly he has involved himself in creating awareness. He shares his own experience, tries to drive away the myths and fears about blood donation and interacts with groups of students and youth, encourages and inspires them. All the seven adult members of this joint family are regular blood donors and the eighth member is eagerly awaiting to turn 18, i.e, the age at which one can donate blood.



From January 1981 to September 2011, Dr Shastry has donated blood 112 times. He probably holds the record for donating blood for largest number of times in undivided Dakshina Kannada District. A paediatrician by profession,Dr Shastry works in his clinic with stethoscope and thermometer with dedication and commitment. One can witness the same dedication when he doubles up as a priest at the family temple alongside his elder brother.

A feature about this benevolent doctor and his family, ¬titled ‘Bindu Bindu Jeevasindhu’, was aired on All India Radio September 30, 2010, on the eve of voluntary blood donation day.

By Concepta Alva
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Comment on this article

  • Renuka sashi, Calicut

    Sun, Nov 06 2011

    Proud to say Iknow you all and feel motivated to do the same

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Fri, Oct 28 2011

    All the best Dr. Shastry and family..this is real a love for humanity...no words can explain your sacrifice.

  • Vivek Baliga, Bangalore/Abohar

    Fri, Oct 28 2011

    Dear Sir, would like to thank you for the gesture of this noble activity, without expecting anything in return, being a regular blood donor myself, it gives me immense satisfaction to see more people contributing to this cause, we never know irrespective of religion to whom the blood might be given, any if it can make a big difference to the recipent, then its all worth the trouble, keep up the good work

  • Kusuma , Nellore/Kodyadka

    Fri, Oct 28 2011

    Very good Doctor he is , In this era where DOctors are after money this man is differant now and doing a good job for the society

  • Concepta Fernandes Alva, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 27 2011

    Dr Sudesh Shastry is truly a great Samaritan who has donated his blood 112 times. His brother Sharavu Raghavendra Shastry has donated 27 times brother's wife Prameela and Dr Shastry's wife Padmavati 26 times since February 2003, nephew Rahul 11 times since 2006, niece Pratheeksha 4 times and daughter Anuradha 5 times youngest daughter Aishwarya, now studying in Class 10 is waiting to be 18 to donate her blood. All of them have drawn inspiration from Dr. Shastry. This family of priests is serving God through serving mankind. It is time that all healthy individuals volunteer to donate blood and save lives. It is bebeficial to the donor as well.

  • Hari Prasad Rao, Mangalore, Dubai

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    There is no better donation than blood donation. May God bless you and your entire family.

  • Lydia D'cunha, Mangalore, India

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    Sharavu Family is very generous. Soft spoken. Quitely they do a lot of good work!!

  • Ashok MK, Mangalore

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    it was very good work by .. Dr. Shasty... it was good motivation to all of us...

  • Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    Your are truely a Good Samaritan. Action itself speaks more than the words.  Dr. Shastry and Family, you are indeed great. Humanity is the only true religion. Others are just fake brand name and fight for superiority for nothing.

  • KPRajagopalan, Thiruvananthapuram

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    HATS OFF Dr. Shasthry & family.Gr8 service on humanity.

  • Jerry, Mangalore

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    Amazing way of donation. By way of giving blood to the needy, the receivers of blood will be indebted to Dr. Shastry and his family till their lifetime. Be the blood flow in many more veins of the needy patients and their hearts be filled with the same love and affection what Dr. Shastry and his family have. God Blees You doctor and Your family for your great sacrifice for the mankind.

  • Zameer H Khan, Udipi/Dubai

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    Mashaallaha ......Great Job Dr. Shastry& family. God bless you all ....Aameen

  • Arshad Kadli, Bhatkal / Al Khobar

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    A couplet from great poet Iqbal for the family.
    Hain log wahi Jahan Mein Acche
    Aate hain jo kaam doosroun ke

  • bona marcel ofmcap, Vittal/Italy

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    Congratulations to you Dr. Shastry and Family. You make the dearest and the greatest donation in life. May God bless your charity a hundredfold with joy of living and succes in your venture. Wish you all a very happy Deepavali.

  • Eddie Sequeira, Mangalore-Doha

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    Dr Shastry and family, no words to express except, may God shower on all of you, his choicest blessings. Thanks to Concepta Alva for spreading the 'Light' with this article of great human kindness. Happy Deepavali.

  • Siddiq BK, Baikampady/Saudi Arabia

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    Great Job Dr. Shastry and Family, keep it up.

  • Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/ Kuwait

    Wed, Oct 26 2011

    Hat's off to Dr. Shastry and Family. We think of reducing weight, blood pressure etc by spending a huge amount of money and time. Regular blood donation will surely help to maintain our health, blood condition and proper circulation and production. Also we can save many unknown lives unknowingly.

    ..... Kisika kaam aye to Achcha lagta hai.......


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