The earthquake has proved to be a mighty leveller with people donating and receiving blood, cutting across the communal divide between Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Over 100 muslim youths camping at the municipal corporation run V S Hospital in Ahmedabad have not slept since January 26, when the state was rocked by the earthquake.

The Muslim youths hailing from Behrampura, Jamalpur and Kagdiwad localities of the walled city have saved the lives of nearly 100 Hindu quake victims by donating their blood. Aslam Rangira Bagchi, a Muslim youth from Jamalpur, said "Of the 100 Muslim youths camping in Ahmedabad since January 26, at least 35 have donated blood a number of times so as to avoid shortage of blood at the V S Hospital, which continues to witness an unending stream of quake victims, who are mostly Hindus."

To a question on the first reaction of the Hindu victims on seeing them at the hospital, he said "Undoubtedly they seem to get reassured on seeing us. (Unhe Tasalli Ho Jati Hai Hume Dekh Kar.) I have somehow managed to have some winks, my friends even didn't have that luxury. Some of them have not slept for 24 hours." Leelatwai daniel, assistant matron at the V S Hospital, said, "Quake has bridged the gaps between hearts. Of the 153 quake victims admitted to hospital, many had suffered serious injuries in heads and other parts and required surgeries. If the Muslims had not volunteered to donate blood, the situation would have been critical." Bureau Report