O P Sharma
The Red Cross, society, the world-wide humanitarian organization, is aimed at ensuring selfless service for well being of the entire humanity irrespective of religion, caste, colour or gender. This movement has very wide network throughout the globe rendering assistance for mitigating the sufferings due to natural or man-made calamity. This organization has the proud record of service in India as also in the strategic and border UT of Jammu and Kashmir; where most vulnerable people are hit hard and the recently revamped Red Cross Society in Jammu and Kashmir has been lending a helping hand to the needy and helpless persons.
Vital Theme
It may be pointed out that theme of the World Red Cross during 2024 is ” I give with joy, and the joy I give is a reward” which is noble idea in line with the mission of this global organization. In its true spirit, it is being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir like all parts of the country and other nations. It is noteworthy that the Red Cross Society selects a specific theme and throughout the year it is worked with selfless spirit and zeal. Last year’s theme was “Be Human Kind” and in previous years too different topic/themes were selected and implemented with positive results. The Red Cross Day (May 8 being birth anniversary of Henry Durrant, founder of the Red Cross Society) will be observed with enthusiasm in Jammu and Kashmir as elsewhere in India and abroad.
Vision and Vigour
The Lt Governor Manoj Sinha , who is president of this organisation has under-scored the need for speeding up its sphere of activities for the service to the people in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Noble Mission
On the eve of Red Cross Day , the Secretary General of the Organisation gave details of the gearing up of selfless services of this organisation in its various welfare activities for ameliorating the lot of depressed and deserving sections of the society. He also emphasized the need for working in this year’s theme in true spirit to obtain optimal results by all the social-spirited organisations or educational institutions and even each and every individual by playing their pivotal role in the welfare of the people, especially distressed, vulnerable sections and those in emergency situations. 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 utilise all available resources of material, money and personnel, especially involving the youth and students to ensure their full participation in all programmes to obtain optimum results. On this day special awareness programmes will be organised to enlist the active participation and co-operation of all segments of the society in the mission of Red Cross Society.
Gearing Up Further
It may be mentioned that the Red Cross Society has lived up to its reputation of rendering self-less service to the persons in extreme distress in Jammu and Kashmir since post-Partition era. It has a history of service with smile whenever , wherever , there is urgent need. The Red Cross team reaches out as angels of hope and relief across the globe. Let us all fully and firmly pledge ourselves to render our selfless services in the true spirit of Red Cross Society for betterment of entire humanity.
Tasks Ahead
The tasks 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 Henry 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 in 1864.
Missionary Spirit
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 for the benefit of weak and distressed, have been initiated.
Indian Red Cross Society, head- quartered at New Delhi, do inspire, encourage and initiate all forms of humanitarian activities across the country under the India Red Cross Society Act passed in 1920 and the President of India is its 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 done a commendable job in carrying out welfare measures. A commendable job was done during 1947 in relief, repatriation and rehabilitation work for mass exodus of refugees. Later, it repeated its good work in 1962,1965 and 1971 wars and also during subsequent 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 this noble mission for doing our part of welfare service.
The spirit of Red Cross Society must be preserved and also further strengthened by involving all the people particularly the youth and students in the humanitarian missionary work.
(The author is a Jammu-based veteran journalist.)
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