While drawing the Raffle at the concluding function of two day Red Cross Mela here on Sunday, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah highlighted the role of Red Cross in rendering social service to the needy in the hour of the need and otherwise.The Chief Minister emphasized on involvement of and participation by all particularly youth in Red Cross programmes and extending human service to people. He said that the sincere and selfless service to mankind is service to God. He said one should voluntarily come forward for such service whenever he gets the occasion. He said Red Cross is the Body dedicated to the help and welfare of poor, needy, deserving and destitute. He underlined the role of Red Cross during the calamities and hours of challenge and said that its role has always been above the mark and conspicuous.
Omar Abdullah stressed on making young students aware of the activities of Red Cross and apprising them their role in making this Society more strong and productive. He said participation of schools and students in Red Cross activities should be a regular phenomenon and one and all should contribute towards this stupendous programme.
The Chief Minister said organizing of Red Cross Melas has remained the tradition of Red Cross Society in the State and he used to visit such Melas with his grandmother Late Begum Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the first Chairperson of J&K Red Cross Society, in his childhood. He said these Melas not only act as awareness camps for circulating the message of Red Cross but provide people opportunity to contribute towards Red Cross activities.On reaching the venue, the Chief Minister who was also accompanied by Minister for Culture and Housing, Raman Bhalla was received by pisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu and office bearers of Red Cross Society. The Chief Minister witnessed the Rangoli programme prepared by the students of Higher Secondary School, Sarwal. He visited various stalls installed in the fair by different departments and non-official concerns.In the Raffle Draw event the first prize of Rs. 1.25 lakh, Rs. 51,000 second prize and Rs. 21,000 third prize went to Ticket No. 240766 (first prize), Ticket No. 015254 (second prize) and Ticket No. 023246 (third prize).