The Governor Punjab and the President Punjab Red Cross Society V.P. Singh Badnore today asked the deputy commissioners to launch a state wide campaign to generate awareness regarding the activities of the State Red Cross in mitigating the suffering of the needy and also take keen interest to clear the financial responsibilities on top priority. He advised the district branches & State branch to continue working in coordination with each other. While addressing the meeting of the Managing Body of the Punjab Red Cross, the Governor has asked the Deputy Commissioners to work out a timetable for imparting training and make adequate arrangements for the First aid training in each district. He also said that the Social Emergency response Volunteers Scheme is the new initiative aimed at producing 1000 trained voluntary in each and every district of Punjab.Talking about the initiatives of Punjab Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance, he said that the state has remained the best performing state in First Aid Training, prevention of TB, AIDS and HIV Projects and also in drug de addiction in the state and now adequate focus should be laid on the Leprosy eradication. He has also asked the officers to strengthen the disaster management in their respective districts and utilise the platform of Red Cross to train all the stakeholders in disaster management activities. He also appreciated the Punjab Red Cross for achieving another milestone of becoming the first state country to have imparted First Aid Training to the Members of the Bar Association of Punjab & Haryana High Court.
In recognition to their humanitarian services, the Governor also presented awards to the Administrators of Universities who have signed the MoUs with Punjab Red Cross, taking forward the mission and message of Red Cross.Deputy Commissioners who as President of the respective District Red Cross Society and SSPs who have performed well in the activities like; imparting First Aid Training, Blood Donation campaign, enrolment of Membership and the financial contribution to the State Branch were honoured. Some eminent personalities including College and School Principals and President of Bar Association, Punjab & Haryana High court, Patrons and the social workers were also honoured on the occasion. The overall trophy for excellent work rendered was bagged by District Rupnagar. Earlier C.S. Talwar, Secretary Punjab State Red Cross Society laid down the agenda of the meeting for the approval of the house. He also presented the vote of tanks. Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Shri J.M. Balamurugan, Principal Secretary to Governor, Mrs. Raji P. Srivastava, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Security, Women & Child Development, Punjab, Shri Ravinder Kumar Kaushik, IAS, Commissioner, Faridkot Division, Shri Sumer Singh Gurjar, IAS, Commissioner, Ferozepur Division, Shri Deepinder Singh, Commissioner, Patiala Division, Dr. Avneet Kaur, Director, Health Services, Punjab & Vice-Chairman, Punjab State Red Cross Branch, besides other senior officers of Punjab Government.