Governor Acharya Devvrat, who is also the President of H P State Red Cross Society, said that serving the suffering humanity was itself service to the God. He was speaking on the occasion of World Red Cross Day at Raj Bhawan, today after flagging off the Red Cross rally organized by its State Branch. Members and Volunteers of Red Cross Society and students of various schools also pinned up the Red Cross flag to the Governor and Lady Governor Darshana Devi to mark the World Red Cross Day. Dr. Sadhna Thakur, wife of the Chief Minister was also present on the occasion.World Red Cross Day is observed on 8th of May every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of the Red Cross, Jean Henry Dunant.The Governor and Lady Governor also donated towards Red Cross Fund and distributed sweets to the students of the Senior Secondary School, Portmore and Central School for Tibetans, Shimla.The Governor appealed to the people of the State to extend their full cooperation and support to the members and volunteers of Red Cross to strengthen the objectives of the movement. He said that a universal sense of solidarity towards all those in need of protection and assistance was important so as to alleviate human suffering. He appealed to associate more people with Red Cross activities to make it a mass movement.
The Governor said that this day reminds us of our responsibility to render help to the people in distress with compassion and sincerity. He said that initially Red Cross was formed to help the injured war soldiers and with the passage of time its activities had expanded a lot.He lauded the efforts of the State Red Cross Society for observing this day by organizing various programmes with a view to educate and mobilize the people to associate themselves with the movement. He wished them all success in their humanitarian pursuits. He also expressed happiness that Red Cross Committees at district level were doing a good job.The State Red Cross also displayed trophies won by Junior Red Cross of different schools in Inter State Training camp at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh where the State won 10 medals in different events. The Governor congratulated the winners.Secretary to Governor and General Secretary, State Red Cross Dr. Arun Sharma, Advisor to Governor Shashi Kant Sharma, Secretary State Red Cross P.S. Rana, Honorary Secretary, Red Cross Hospital Welfare Society Poonam Chauhan, Vice Chairperson, HWS, Phiroza Vijay Singh and Vice President Kavita Mardi, Executive Members of Red Cross HWS were also present among others on the occasion.