Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 8: The World Red Cross Day was celebrated here today across J&K and different programmes were organized in this regard.
Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), J&K celebrated World Red Cross Day at Red Cross Bhawan, Kachi Chawni, Jammu and across district headquarters where Deputy Commissioners presided over the programmes. World Red Cross Day is celebrated as a mark of respect to the founder of Red Cross Movement, Sir Jean Henry Dunant who is also the recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
This year theme for the day is ‘Keeping Humanity Alive’ which focuses on what we can achieve when we unite in the spirit of humanity.
The function in Jammu started with the hoisting of Red Cross Flag by Rohit Khajuria, General Secretary, IRCS, J&K. The chief guest on this occasion was I.D Soni, President Home for Aged and Infirm and he along with others paid floral tributes to Sir Jean Henry Dunant. Pledge by the students of different schools was also taken on this occasion. Vironica Marwah, Field Officer, IRCS, J&K also spoke on this occasion.
On World Red Cross Day, a special programme was organized at Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan Hall, Gandhi Nagar. Jugal Mahajan, senior most life member and elected member of newly elected team of IRCS Jammu delivered the welcome address. B.R Sharma, State Election Commissioner was chief guest. Dinesh Gupta, Patron, IRCS and elected Chairman of IRCS, Jammu briefed about this humanitarian organization. Padma Shri Dr. Jatinder Udhampuri, through a poem conveyed about various kind of welfare activities being undertaken by the Red Cross in J&K.
Seema Khajuria, former Senior Additional Advocate General, Maj. Gen. S.K Sharma (Retd.) and Lt. General Rakesh Sharma (Retd.) also spoke on the occasion.
B.R Sharma highlighted the very importance of IRCS and said that there is always a need of more and more in the true team of volunteers willing to undertake welfare activities selflessly.
Dr. Tahir Choudhary, Manju Singh, S. Manjit Singh, Chairman, Sr. Citizen Welfare Association, Balvinder Singh, Vice President DGPC, Naresh Maini, Prof. B.C Sharma, Jagdish Sharma, Anil, Tarsem, Ashok, Ram Pal besides ten member elected team of IRCS, Jammu District and others were also present.
World Red Cross Day was commemorated by organizing a grand event by the District Red Cross Society Jammu at Teachers Bhawan. Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya graced the occasion as chief guest. In his address, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, who is also Chairman District Red Cross Society, underscored the evolving role of Red Cross Society, emphasizing its multifaceted contribution to society beyond providing first aid. He called upon everyone to contribute to humanity’s service in their respective capacities, emphasizing the importance of sincere dedication to duty and public welfare.
Executive Secretary of District Red Cross Society, Ansuya Jamwal (ADC Jammu) outlined the forthcoming plans for the District Red Cross Society.
Among the dignitaries present were SDM Jammu South, Atul Dutt Sharma and others.
District Red Cross Committee Samba organized a function at Samba Fort to celebrate World Red Cross Day. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Samba, Abhishek Sharma was chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that World Red Cross Day is being observed every year with an aim to reinvent the passion of mutual help among the citizens. He stressed upon the concerned to intensify the efforts to conduct different welfare programmes including blood donation camps and ensure proper utilization of funds for the weaker sections of the society especially for poor, destitute, orphan and widows.
World Red Cross Day was observed at District Headquarters Udhampur. An informative symposium on this year’s theme ‘Keeping Humanity Alive’ was held at DC Office where Deputy Commissioner, Saloni Rai was chief guest. Speaking on the occasion the DC urged the participants to volunteer themselves for Red Cross which is a best platform for serving the needy people. In seminar Sunil Kumar of GHSS Garhi secured first position, Sandeep Singh of GHSS Boys bagged second while Meenakshi Devi of Govt Girls High School Udhampur and Tanvi Verma of Government Girls High School Garhi shared the third position while the chief guest gave away mementoes and certificates to the participants.
World Red Cross Day was celebrated across Doda District under the aegis of District Red Cross Society (DRCS) and under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh, who is also President of DRCS Doda. The Deputy Commissioner along with other district officers flagged off a rally which marched through the main market and concluded at Government Boys Higher Secondary School. Donation boxes designated by the District Red Cross Society were also carried by some students to collect contributions for humanitarian causes. The event culminated with the hoisting of Red Cross flag and a pledge ceremony at Government Boys Higher Secondary School with chief guest, ADC Sudershan Kumar and other district officials leading the activities. Meanwhile, an awareness bike rally was taken out in Bhaderwah, which was led by ADC Sunil Kumar. The rally culminated at Seri Bazaar Bhaderwah where officers, including Tehsildar Kamal, EO Ravi Saini, BMO Dr. Ashraf, BDO Akhil and others talked on the importance of Red Cross Day and road safety. Apart from this blood donation camps were held at GMC Doda and SDH Bhaderwah as part of the World Red Cross Day celebrations.
District Red Cross Society Kishtwar in collaboration with the stakeholder departments celebrated World Red Cross Day. The event was graced by the presence of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav along with ADC Pawan Kotwal, ACR Kishtwar Idrees Lone, SDM Chatroo, Naeem Ur Rehman and DSWO Kishtwar, Tariq Parvez Qazi among others. Speaking on the occasion DC Kishtwar extended heartfelt felicitations to the Red Cross team and urged the people to collaborate with them during times of adversity. A blood donation camp was also organized in this regard at District Hospital Kishtwar.
District Red Cross Society Reasi celebrated World Red Cross Day in an event organized under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Vishesh Mahajan in the presence of Rakesh Wazir, Chairman DRCS, Reasi, ADC Kul Bhushan Khajuria, ACR Anshumali Sharma and other District Officers and District Branch Managing Committee Members. The programme started with hoisting of Red Cross Flag. Rakesh Wazir while speaking on the occasion appealed to the general public to donate generously for the Red Cross Society for the welfare of poor people. DC Reasi Vishesh Mahajan, emphasized on the crucial role of the District Red Cross Society, Reasi in assisting and aiding people impacted by natural disasters, armed conflicts and other crises. Vote of thanks was presented by Sham Lal Kesar, Vice-Chairman DRCS, Reasi.
On World Thalassaemia Day, NSS and NCC Units of Maulana Azad Memorial College, Jammu in collaboration with J&K Thalassaemia Welfare Society, Jammu organized a ‘Blood Donation Camp’ at the College campus under the patronage of Dr. B.B Anand, Principal of the College.
On World Red Cross Day, Red Ribbon/Red Cross Club, PSPS, Govt. College for Women, Gandhi Nagar Jammu organized a Poster Making competition in collaboration with Department of Zoology. Prof. Surinder Singh Parihar, I/C Principal PSPS, GCW, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu was guest of honour while Prof. Archna Bakshi, HoD, English, Prof. Anupama Pandotra, Zoology and Prof. Rakesh Singh, HoD Chemistry were Judges.
Prof. Samriti Aggarwal, HoD Zoology and Convener, Red Cross/Red Ribbon Club and Committee members Prof. Shakun Mahajan, Dr. Shaista Ajaz, Dr. Raj Kumar Santhal, Prof. Manmeet Kour, Prof. Asha Devi, Prof. Varchaskam Sharma, Prof. Meenakshi Sharma, Prof. Anita Kotwal and Prof. Archana Bhat were also present.
Red Ribbon Club of Government Degree College Marh celebrated World Red Cross Day by hosting an awareness event. The College Principal Prof. Dr. Rakesh Kumar Koul highlighted importance of the day. Prof. Madhavi Parasher, HoD Botany briefed the students that the day is observed to highlight the humanitarian values and activities of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The event was coordinated by Dr. Shakun Sharma, HoD Sociology and graced by Prof. Imitaz Shahid, HoD Zoology, Prof. Asha, HoD Geography, Dr. Balwinder Saini, HoD Chemistry and Ravi, PTI.
GDC R.S Pura celebrated World Red Cross Day wherein the Red Ribbon Club of the College in collaboration with IQAC of the GDC organized First Aid activity to save lives under the patronage of Prof. (Dr.) Rajni Bhagat, Principal of the College and under the guidance of Prof. Neelam Kumari, Convener RRC. The event was coordinated by Dr. Sunil Kumar Mangoch, Member, RRC. The faculty members which made the event successful were Prof. Priya Darshni, Dr. Rakesh Choudhary and Zenab Ara Khan.
Red Ribbon Club and First Aid Committee of Government Degree College Ramgarh organized a one-day awareness lecture on Organ Donation in collaboration with State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization, J&K. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Principal of the College, Prof (Dr). Geetanjali Andotra.
Red Cross Club in collaboration with NCC Unit, Govt PG College, Rajouri organized a symposium to celebrate World Red Cross Day under the patronage of the Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Shamim Azad. Inaugural speech was delivered by NCC Officer, Prof Salma Farooq. Prof Rabia Kouser, Dr Divya Mahajan, Ramniq Kour and Major Tanwir Ahmed motivated students to be selfless while donating blood.
Shiksha Niketan Senior School Jeevan Nagar celebrated World Red Cross Day and High Wing of the School organized an Essay Writing Competition in English and Hindi on the theme ‘I give with joy and the joy I give is a reward’. The competition was supervised by Veena Gupta, In-charge High Wing. Two teachers Naresh Sharma and Kamni Sambyal were also present. First position was secured by Ridhi Kalia and she got trophy from B.R Sharma, State Election Commissioner, second position was secured by Navya Gupta and third by Prakriti Rajput.
World Red Cross Day was celebrated in Poonch and rallies were conducted in this regard. For Red Cross fund money was collected by school children and staff of different institution and Higher Secondary School Poonch stood first in collecting money.
In Kashmir Division, the main function was held at Red Cross House, Exchange Road, Srinagar. G.A Qureshi, Honorary Treasurer, IRCS-J&K was chief guest in the event attended by members and volunteers from different Districts of Kashmir.
Mohammad Rajab, District Executive Secretary, District Bandipora lauded the efforts of Red Cross during disasters. On this occasion school students highlighted the need to care for each other during the times of normalcy and emergent situation.
G.A Qureshi said: “It is a matter of great satisfaction that thousands of volunteers of ‘humankind’ particularly of Red Cross, by their acts of kindness and helpfulness brought smile and hope on the face of thousands of families.”
At the end Sheikh Fajar delivered vote of thanks.
Follow our WhatsApp channel