Governor emphasis on promoting junior and youth red cross activities
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has stressed on organizing Ayurvedic Medical Camps through Red Cross. He said that the Red Cross should be made a ‘Janandolan’ with the participation of the people. The Governor, who is also the President of the State Red Cross, was presiding over the General Annual Meeting of Himachal Pradesh State Red Cross Society at Raj Bhavan, today.
He said the Red Cross has organized medical camps at district and state levels for treatment and therapy of the people. It should be an effort that the Ayurveda medicine system should also be promoted besides Allopathy, he added. He said that during the corona pandemic, we have noticed that people have more attraction towards Ayurveda. He said that in many other states of the country, Ayurveda medicine was provided to corona patients separately at the hospital level and its results were also fruitful. We can take a new initiative by linking it with the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and could organize Ayurveda camps at the district level, he said.
Shri Arlekar said the District Red Cross Branches should prepare a road map of their activities for about five-six years so that it could become a resolution for every officer dealing with the Red Cross in future. He said that good work was being done at the district level, but we have to make it a people’s movement by involving more and more people and involving them in the activities of the Red Cross. He said that for the last two years almost every area was affected due to the Corona pandemic. He added that activities of the Red Cross could not proceed to that extent despite this, the ‘best practices’ of some districts were examples for others. He said that every member associated with the Red Cross needs to understand that it was an international organization and excellent work of a branch gets international recognition.
He said that the Chairman of District Red Cross branches were working on ground level and they were facing the reality and difficulties so, they could take this movement forward in the right direction, he added. Governor stressed on conducting junior and youth Red Cross activities up to school, college and university level. He said that for this a uniform format should be prepared for the entire state. He said that training in disaster management should also be given in youth and junior Red Cross activities. He also directed all the Deputy Commissioners to send their suggestions in writing to him. In the meeting, it was decided that health camps for medical examination of senior citizens, drug prevention awareness camps in schools and colleges and awareness camps to deal with the effect of Omicron variant of corona virus at community level would be organized during the year 2022-23. On this occasion, the Governor felicitated District Red Cross Branches Kullu, Solan and Sirmaur with certificates for their excellent performance. Shri Ashutosh Garg, Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, Smt Kritika Kulhari, Deputy Commissioner, Solan and Shri Ramkumar Gautam, Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur received the award.
Earlier, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal stressed on the need to expand Red Cross activities and said that the volunteers of Red Cross have always done good work in the service of suffering humanity. He said that disaster management and awareness programs have always been beneficial to the people. He said that the State Government and the Red Cross together could do better work in this direction. Member, National Management Unit of the Indian Red Cross and Chairperson, Hospital Welfare Branch Dr. Sadhna Thakur thanked the Governor for presiding over the meeting. She said that there was a need to strengthen the hospital welfare branches at the district level. She added that activities like Adolescent Health Service for girls could be conducted through the Red Cross in the coming financial year.
She stressed on organizing camps for special children and organizing Red Cross fairs up to the sub-divisional level. Secretary to the Governor and General Secretary of the State Red Cross Vivek Bhatia conducted the proceedings. He also presented a vote of thanks. On the occasion, the Presidents, Deputy Patrons and Life Members of District Red Cross Branches gave their valuable suggestions.
Senior member of Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Dr. Rachna Gupta, Director, Health Department Dr. Anita Mahajan, Director, Higher Education Dr. Amarjit Sharma and other officers were also present on the occasion.
