Taj asks Red Cross to reach out to schools, youth
5 Dariya News (Anubhav Suri)
Jammu 07-Dec-2013
Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services & Sports, Taj Mohi ud Din today advised the Red Cross Society to expand their activities and reach out to youth at schools and colleges. Addressing the closing function of a five day workshop on first aid and emergency response here today, the Minister said the role of the Red Cross is becoming critical with the evolving times as more and more complex disastrous and challenging situations are thrown up.Reminding the participants of the catastrophic earthquake of 2005 in which 960 people perished in Uri alone, Mr. Taj said such incidents have only reinforced the need for greater involvement of Red Cross and their integration with young people at school and college level.Terming drug addiction as a challenge to society in general and to youth in particular, the Minister asked the Red Cross to come forward and initiate a movement on drug de-addiction all across the State, for which he promised all support from the Government.Taj said the Department of Medical Education has already set up two drug de-addiction centres at the two Medical Colleges of Jammu and Srinagar and around 90 per cent of the patients there have been either de addicted or discharged.Earlier, in her welcome address, Secretary, J&K Chapter of Red Cross, Mrs. Roma Wani underlined the objectives of workshop. He said her organization is focusing on youth to create a chain of volunteers across the State, particularly at district headquarters so as to have quick response to emergencies and disasters.