Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 8: World Red Cross Day was celebrated across the State with enthusiasm and zeal. The Day is celebrated every year to pay tributes to the founder of Red Cross Sir Henry Dunant and encourage the volunteers for their precious contributions for helping people in need.
Asserting that World Red Cross Day is celebrated every year with an aim to alleviate people’s sufferings, enhance their dignity and protecting their lives from emergencies and disasters, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal emphasized on ensuring that the fundamental principles of Red Cross Organizations which include humanity, impartiality, voluntary and unity are followed with real spirit.
Dr Kotwal was speaking at a function organized to celebrate World Red Cross Day by Indian Red Cross Society (Jammu Region) at Red Cross Bhawan here today.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, DIG Jammu, Shakeel Ahmed Beig, Secretary Red Cross Society RC Puri, representatives of ICRS, Anil Suri, Brig (Retd) MM Harjai, Dinesh Gupta, Navneet Kour, R Vijay Magotra and Sureshta Khajuria were also present on the occasion.
On the occasion active volunteers and social workers of Red Cross were honoured by the chief guest who include OP Gupta, Paramjeet Kour, Rajinder Singh, Yash Paul Yash, Mukhtiyar Ali, Rajinder Sharma, Ajit Singh, Sukriti Sharma, Sadat and Vardhman Jain. Two counsellors and 12 campers who represented J&K State in Junior Red Cross Training-cum-Study Camp held at Kurukhestra were also felicitated with trophies and mementoes by the chief guest. Students from various educational institutions presented cultural items.
At Kishtwar, a function was organized by Chief Medical Officer Dr Sham Parsad Gupta in Old District Hospital Kishtwar to celebrate the World Red Cross Day. Additional District Development Commissioner Mohammad Hanief Malik was the chief Guest and SSP Kishtwar Yougal Manhas was the guest of honour besides Superintendent District Hospital Dr Parvaiz Hussain, doctors, para-medical staff, prominent citizens, NGO’s and members of DRCS Kishtwar attended the function.
At Reasi, District Red Cross Society (DRCS) celebrated World Red Cross Day with great enthusiasm and Red Cross volunteers contributing over Rs 3 lakh as donation. A series of programmes were organized by the DRCS to celebrate International Red Cross Day. The event was organized at Mini Secretariat where Chairman District Red Cross Society (Deputy Commissioner) Sushma Chauhan inaugurated the function by hoisting the Red Cross flag. A large number of locals, Red Cross volunteers including the students recited the Red Cross song. Earlier, Abdul Satar district secretary presented welcome address. A small film on Red Cross by Information Department was also shown on the occasion. Celebrations ended with a rally and various cultural events. The rally was flagged off by Chauhan, which after passing through various areas culminated at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Reasi. A colorful cultural program was also organized in GGHSS, Reasi to celebrate the World Red Cross Day by DRCS in collaboration with Education Department.
At Ramban, to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of Red Cross Movement Sir Jean Henry Dunant, World Red Cross Day was celebrated. District Development Commissioner, Ramban who is also chairman of District Red Cross Committee, Ramban, Farooq Shah Bukhari was the chief guest on the occasion. DDC flagged off RC students rally from the premises of Government Higher Secondary School. Principal Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Parshotam Singh, DySP Traffic Police, faculty members of institutions, volunteers of Red Cross Society Ramban and around 350 students drawn from different educational institutions participated in the rally besides a large number of civil society members attended the function.
At Kathua, the spirit of celebrations of the World Red Cross Day culminated with homage to Sir Jean Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross Movement. IRCS, Kathua organized various activities on this year’s theme “The Fundamental Principles in Action”. To celebrate his birthday, a programme, was organized in the conference hall of DC office Kathua. Deputy Commissioner Kathua Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Chairman IRCS, was the chief guest of the day. At the outset, a video presentation on the Red Cross Movement and 7 Fundamental Principles was shown to the gathering. Later, a power point presentation of the diverse activities conducted by the IRCS Kathua was also shown. ADC, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed, ADDC, Manmohan Singh, district officers and officials of various Government departments along with Executive Committee members of IRCS, Kathua Life Members, Life Associates and Volunteers were also present on the occasion.
At Hiranagar, a colorful function was organised in the premises of Government Girdhari Lal Dogra Memorial Degree College, Hiranagar to honour Henry Dunant, in which the NCC Cadets and NSS volunteers have played a very significant role. Principal of the College Prof Sohan Lal Bhagat was the chief guest on the occasion. Prof Rakesh Sharma NCC officer also spoke on this occasion.
At Poonch, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, MH Malik and Senior Superintendent of Police, JS Johar flagged off a students’ rally from Government Girls Higher Secondary School Sheesh Mahal which culminated at KC Park Poonch where a symposium was organized in which student volunteers of various educational institutions participated.
At Udhampur, to mark the celebration of World Red Cross Day, the District Red Cross Society Udhampur with the active support of Education Department today organized a rally, which was flagged off by District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal. Secretary, Red Cross Society, Dr VP Sharma also gave detailed account of activities of the society.
At Doda, to make people aware of the importance of the Word Red Cross Day a rally of the students, a free eye camp and a seminar was today organized by District Red Cross Society Doda. Deputy Commissioner Doda Bhupinder Kumar who is also the Chairman of District Red Cross Society Doda flagged of the rally of the students from Government Higher Secondary School (Boys) Doda. DC also inaugurated a 15th free eye camp at Old Hospital Doda. Later, a seminar on the theme “Togetherness for humanity” was organized in the Government Higher Secondary School (Boys) in which Mehar Fatima, Ajay Sen Aryan and Parvez Ahmed emerged winners.
At Baramulla, World Red Cross Day was observed at Sheerwani Hall by District administration. District Development Commissioner Baramulla Peerzada Mushtaq Ahmad Shah was the chief guest. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Chief Education Officer, Secretary Red Cross Society Baramulla, School Children’s from various educational institutions participated on the occasion. A debate was conducted in which various students of various educational institutions highlighted the importance of Red Cross Day. Muzaffer Mushtaq, Zara Shabir and Syed Ishfaq Razvi emerged winners in the debate. Later, DDC distributed commendable certificates among the position holders.
At Shopian, District Red Cross Society celebrated World Red Cross Day at Government Degree College, under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner, Shopian, GM Dar, who is also chairman of District Red Cross Society. Many Non-governmental organizations, students of various institutions and senior citizens participated in the day long programme. Principal, Government Degree College was also present on the occasion.
At Kupwara, District Red Cross Society in collaboration with Education, DIET, Health, Information and NGOs today organized an impressive function in the Town Hall wherein 500 students of different educational institutions participated in the programme. A seminar on the topic “Together for the humanity” was also conducted in which Chief Education Officer, Kupwara, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Kupwara, Principals of various Higher Secondary Schools, ANMT school of Nursing Kupwara, besides students of various educational institutions read their essays and shared their views to mark the occasion. Abdul Basset, Nowsheen and Sahel bagged first, second and third positions respectively. Later, a rally from Town Hall was flagged off, by District Development Commissioner, Kupwara in which 500 students of various schools participated.
At Bandipora, in connection with “World Red Cross Day”, a function was organized by District Administration. Presided over by Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Revenue Bandipora, the function was attended by officers from various departments, heads of various educational institutions and senior citizens. The speakers on the occasion threw light on the celebration of the day.
At Srinagar, On the occasion of World Red Cross Day, a function was held at DC Office. District Development Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Lone was the chief guest on the occasion. A large number of students representing various educational institutions of the city participated in the function. Students threw light on the role and significance of Red Cross by deliberating lectures, besides reciting “Naat”. The theme of the speeches was “My Red Cross Story”. Later, DDC gave away awards to the students who were judged first, second and third in different categories.
Red Cross Unit of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar celebrated Red Cross Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of founder of Red Cross Sir Henry Dunant. On the occasion, a colourful programme was organized. A group of students were involved in reading message of Secretary General of Indian Red Cross Society, Dr SP Agarwal, Prayer and Pledge followed by a lecture on the theme “Power of Humanity: The fundamental principles in action”. Principal of the College Dr Kiran Bakshi, was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Ashaq Malik, Co-ordinator of Red Cross Unit gave a detailed account of Red Cross through power point presentation. Among others present were Dr Shiveta Gandotra, Prof Shrotika Rajput, Prof Haseeb, Prof Samir Chadha, Prof Fahad and Prof Imran Khan.
World Red Cross Day was celebrated in GDC Kathua, in which Principal of the College Dr BL Gupta was the chief guest. Co-ordinator of Red Cross of the College Dr Arun Dev Singh presented the welcome address. Prof PK Rao, Dr Tejinder Kour, Prof Pankaj Nandan, Dr Namarata Gupta, Prof Sumanesh, other staff members and students were present on the occasion.
A function on World Red Cross Day was organized at Government Girdari Lal Dogra Memorial Degree College Hiranagar. Prof Sohan Lal Bhagat, Principal of the college was the chief guest, who while speaking threw light on the importance of the day. Prof Rakesh Sharma, NCC Officer also spoke on the occasion. Students sung patriotic songs including Red Cross song.
Government Girls Higher Secondary School Jakh organized a function on World Red Cross Day. Principal RL Gupta was the chief guest, who while speaking impressed upon the students to cultivate the spirit of selfless service to humanity and commitment to society. The function featured the speeches of some students of the 10th and 12th classes. Aman Kanathia, Deeksha Sharma and Shivani stood first, second and third respectively. Later, Principal gave away prizes to the best performing students in the symposium.
World Red Cross Day was celebrated at Government Higher Secondary School Sohal in which Principal NP Singh along with staff, students, Sarpanch Niranjan Singh, social activist Retd Colonel Bana Ram Sharma, Naib Sarpanch Rajesh Kumar and Panch Ramesh Chander spoke on the topic “Fundamental Principles in Action”. Neha Sharma, Rohit Thappa and Kanchan Devi emerged winners.
A programme was organized to commemorate World Red Cross Day at Government Higher Secondary School, Dablehar, RS Pura. Principal Suman Lata unfurled the Red Cross flag and the students sang Red Cross song. Niraj Sharma, senior lecturer in Hindi apprised the students about the history and activities of Red Cross Society.
World Red Cross Day was celebrated at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kandoli, Nagrota. Romeshwar Dutt, Sarpanch, Panchayat Halqa Nagrota was the chief guest and Principal Harbans Lal Sharma presided over the function. Students made speeches on the importance of the day. Later, a rally was taken out by the students. Nasib Singh, Master and Incharge Red Cross Fund of the school presented vote of thanks.