Kanta Saroop Krishen: A Trailblazer in India’s Blood Donation Movement

Kanta Saroop Krishen (7 February 1929 – 30 November 2024) was a pioneering social worker whose extraordinary efforts transformed the way blood donation was practiced and perceived in India. For over six decades, she worked tirelessly to make voluntary blood donation a nationwide movement, establishing organizations, influencing public health policy, and ensuring ethical standards in blood transfusion services. Her contribution was recognized with the Padma Shri in 1972 and numerous other awards throughout her life.

Early Life and Background

Kanta was born in 1929 in what was then West Punjab, part of British India (now in Pakistan). Her father, R.B. Vishan Bhagwan, served as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission, which meant Kanta was brought up in an environment that valued education and public service. She excelled academically and earned a scholarship after passing her matriculation with distinction.

At the young age of 16, she married Sarup Krishen, a dedicated civil servant who later became the first Chief Secretary of the state of Haryana. The couple eventually settled in Chandigarh, where Kanta’s deep sense of social responsibility found fertile ground.

Beginning of a Lifelong Mission

Her journey into public health and blood donation began in the early 1960s when she met Prof. J.G. Jolly, a visionary hematologist at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. At that time, the blood donation system in India was largely unregulated and heavily dependent on paid donors—a practice that raised ethical and medical concerns.

With Prof. Jolly’s support, Kanta co-founded the Blood Bank Society, Chandigarh in 1964. She also helped establish the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology (ISBTI). These platforms became the foundation of a national movement for promoting voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation.

Institution Building and Advocacy

For over 25 years, Kanta served as the Secretary of the Blood Bank Society, and for nearly 45 years, she held the position of Secretary-General of ISBTI. Under her guidance, these organizations worked to:

  • Create awareness campaigns across India about safe blood donation.
  • Discourage and eventually eliminate the practice of paid donations.
  • Encourage government hospitals to adopt ethical and scientific standards.
  • Establish blood banks that followed WHO guidelines and safety protocols.

Thanks to her leadership, the model adopted in Chandigarh became a blueprint for other cities and states. Her ability to mobilize civil society, collaborate with health professionals, and engage with policymakers earned her admiration across all levels.

Landmark Legal Achievements

One of her most significant contributions was participating in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by consumer rights advocate H.D. Shourie, which challenged the legality of commercial blood donation. This case led to a landmark Supreme Court judgment in 1996 that banned paid blood donations in India.

This verdict played a pivotal role in India’s healthcare evolution. It helped formalize the principles of voluntary, safe, and ethical blood collection and laid the groundwork for the National Blood Policy, ensuring that all blood transfusion services adhered to strict quality control and safety norms.

Recognitions and Honors

Over the years, Kanta’s work received several national and international accolades, including:

  • Padma Shri (1972) – one of India’s highest civilian honors.
  • Red Cross Gold Medal – for her humanitarian service.
  • Mother Teresa Award – awarded by ISBTI for exemplary social contribution.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Award – for public service.
  • H.D. Shourie Award – recognizing her legal efforts in the blood donation cause.
  • Republic Day Award (1996) – from the Chandigarh administration.

Beyond Blood Banks

Kanta’s interest in public service extended beyond blood donation. She was actively involved with various social and cultural initiatives such as:

  • Indian Red Cross Society
  • Women’s Defence Council
  • Bharat Scouts and Guides
  • Indian National Theatre, where she promoted classical Indian music and culture.
  • Child Welfare Council, focusing on education and welfare of underprivileged children.

Her holistic approach to service reflected her belief that nation-building required active citizen participation at multiple levels.

Personal Values and Legacy

Despite her many accolades, Kanta remained grounded and humble. She was affectionately referred to by different names by those close to her—“Kantaji,” “Mother,” or “Didi.” She had a creative side too: she enjoyed gardening, cooking, music, embroidery, and flower arrangement. Her home was often a space where art, service, and activism came together.

She and her husband raised three children—two daughters, Niti and Anu, and a son, Sanjiv. Her family continued to support her legacy; her daughter Niti Sarin and son-in-law Mac Sarin have taken on leadership roles in the Blood Bank Society.

When she passed away at the age of 95 in November 2024, she remained true to her commitment to service by donating her body for medical research to PGIMER Chandigarh.

Nationwide Impact

Kanta Krishen’s legacy is deeply embedded in India’s public health and social work landscape. Some of her most enduring impacts include:

  • Eliminating commercial blood donation, saving countless lives from diseases like HIV and hepatitis.
  • Creating awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation across rural and urban India.
  • Shaping policy and institutional frameworks for ethical blood transfusion services.
  • Training and mentoring generations of social workers, healthcare professionals, and volunteers.

Conclusion: A Life That Redefined Compassion

Kanta Saroop Krishen’s life is a shining example of what one determined individual can achieve through empathy, courage, and persistence. She redefined public health advocacy in India, not through top-down policies, but by building trust, mobilizing communities, and staying committed to a cause that most people barely noticed.

Her work ensured that the act of donating blood became a civic responsibility, not a commercial transaction. Today, every safe transfusion, every voluntary donation, and every life saved through ethical blood banking owes a debt to her tireless efforts.

In remembering Kanta Krishen, we do not just celebrate a social worker—we honor a movement, a mindset, and a legacy of selfless service that continues to inspire.

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