Pics by: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network Udupi - (JD)
Udupi, Dec 19: Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi, officially launched the ‘Redrop’ app of ICYM Udupi diocese in an official ceremony held on Tuesday, December 18 at Sheshayana Hall.
Dr Tallur Shivaram Shetty, district governor, Lions Club and chief guest of the programme on the occasion said, “Blood is a very important thing in everyone’s life. I have experienced how it feels when there is shortage of blood when needed. Redrop is a very good initiative by ICYM Udupi diocese. The main objective of this app is that there should not be shortage of blood when required.”
App developers Ryan Christ D’Souza and Roshan Sequeira were honoured by the bishop for their sincere efforts in developing the app.
Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, in his presidential address said, “To have lifetime joy, we need to help others. Mother Teresa said, ‘Small is beautiful’. ICYM Udupi diocese has taken a small initiative by launching this app, but their success is very high. Through this app, a bridge is created between life givers and life savers. By launching this app, they have also shown that how technology can be used in life saving works. This is an innovative idea. Let this idea spread all over India. By this app, an easy connection between blood donors and blood seekers will be established.”
To donate blood or to get blood through Redrop app, users need to register themselves by filling basic information. When blood is required for someone, they should also register themselves and find a donor in nearby places. The donor can be directly contacted when blood is required. The donor can also mark himself as not available when they are on other important works. The app is currently available on Google Play Store and shortly it will also be released on App Store.
Ryan Christ D’Souza, app developer and director, TFN Enterprise (OPC) Pvt. Ltd explained about the working of the application.
Gregory Nelly Quadros Kalmadi and Maxim Stephen Saldanha, application sponsors and other donors were honored by the bishop.
Prizes were distributed to the winners of ‘Redrop Ad-Shoot’. Raising Smiles, Team Katpadi, Gururaj and team bagged first, second and third place respectively.
Ashok Chanthar, zone president, JCI Leslie Aroza, director, Family Commission and animator, ICYM Udupi diocese, Dr Edward Lobo, director, Health Commission, Udupi diocese, Alphonse D’Costa, secretary diocesan pastoral council, Udupi diocese, Alwyn Quadros, president, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh (R), Janet Barboza, president Catholic Sthree Sanghatan, Udupi diocese, and Fr Edwin D’Souza, director, ICYM Udupi diocese were present.
Dion D’Souza, president, ICYM Udupi diocese, welcomed the gathering. Jeevan Pereira, treasurer, ICYM Udupi diocese, proposed the vote of thanks. Roshan Sequeira compered the programme.