O P Sharma
The Red Cross, society, the world-wide humanitarian organization, is aimed at ensuring well being of the entire humanity irrespective of religion, caste, colour or gender. This, movement has very wide network throughout the globe undertaking selfless service for mitigating the sufferings due to man –made or any natural calamity. This organization has the proud record of service in India as also in the strategic and sensitive border Jammu and Kashmir. These past months and year has been marked by multiple cries that have spared no one and have hit the most vulnerable people the hardest –from —–Covid-19 , to the climate crisis, humanitarian emergencies and escalating conflicts and the importance of the Red Cross Society .
Every year the Red Cross Society comes with a theme, to be celebrated.
This year’s theme is “Be Human Kind” and Red Cross Day is being observed on May 8 with enthusiasm in the Jammu and Kashmir as elsewhere in India and all other countries . Various programmes have been chalked out for this occasion .
The Lt Governor Manoj Sinha , who is president of this organisation has under-scored the need for enlarging its sphere of activities for the service of the people in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Divisional Commissioner, Dr. Raghav Langer, Jammu is vice president , of Red Cross Jammu region and Sat Pal Sharma has recently taken over as new Secretary, Red Cross, Jammu region.
Noble Mission
On the eve of Red Cross Day , Mr Sharma gave details of the activities and achievements of the selfless services of this organisation. He also narrated the story of this social organisation, its selfless service and the long and pivotal role it plays in the welfare of the people by rendering service to the poor and needy people in emergency situations over the years across the globe. He said he has taken up the job as a mission of serving the society.
Answering a question, he stated that efforts are afoot to involve maximum men , money and material , especially the youth and students to ensure their full participation to obtain optimal results. He said on this day special awareness programmes will be organised to enlist the co-operation of all segments of the society . .
It may be mentioned that the Red Cross Society has lived up to its reputation of rendering service to the persons in distress. It has a long history of service with smile when ever , wherever , there is urgent need the Red Cross team as angels of hope and relief reaches the spot.
Tasks Ahead
The task before this welfare organization are challenging indeed. The Indian Red Cross Society has mobilized itself up to the situation for extending relief to the victims .
Red Cross Day is observed on May 8, being the birth anniversary of Jean Henri Dunant , founder of this great humanitarian movement in the world . After a traumatic personal experience of battle in Solferine , Mr. Dunant, a Swiss businessman wrote a book” A Memory of Solferino “and pleaded for formation in all countries voluntary relief societies to work in the battle-field. And in 1864 the first Red Cross Society came into being but then it was confined to medical care and welfare of wounded soldiers. Subsequently , it undertook all other welfare works as well
Vision and Mission
This organization has a Charter of Seven Fundamental Principles which are : Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence , Voluntary Service , Unity and Universality for mitigation of human sufferings .
Now, some tangible schemes like mobilizing resources , enrolment of volunteers and their trainings as also vigorous implementation of important projects are underway for the benefit of weak and distressed.
Indian Red Cross Society, national federation of over 600 branches in the country with its head- quarters at New Delhi, do inspire, encourage and initiate all forms of humanitarian activities. It functions under the India Red Cross Society Act passed in 1920 and the President of India is Chief Patron at the national Level, While its Jammu and Kashmir branch is headed by the Lt. Governor.
Healing Touch
As the premier and largest voluntary agency in the country , the Red Cross has entered a number of welfare fields in a big way. A commendable job was done during 1947 in relief, repatriation and rehabilitation work for mass exodus of refugees. Then again, it repeated its good work in 1962,1965 and 1971 war and also during other conflicts. Its performance during the peace time too is pivotal and also praise- worthy.
The Red Cross Society has rendered commendable service but much more still remains to be done .All of us must join hands with Red Cross Society for doing our part of welfare service.
The spirit of Red Cross must be preserved and also further streamlined and strengthened by involving the people particularly the youth and students in the humanitarian missionary work.
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