The World Red Cross Day 2022 was observed on Sunday by the Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur State Branch (IRCS-MSB), at its office in MG Avenue, Imphal West on the theme “Be Humankind.”
Paying a floral tribute to the portrait of Red Cross movement founder Jean Henry Dunant marked the opening ceremony of the observance.
Delivering the chief guest speech of the observance, MLA Thangjam Arunkumar stated that no service is greater than humanitarian service, which is indeed the work of the Red Cross Society.
Highlighting the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross Society (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality), Arunkumar, who is also the life member of IRCS-MSB, lauded the efforts and the activities taken up by the members and volunteers of the society in any eventualities of natural disasters and conflict.
Honorary secretary of IRCS-MSB RK Nimai informed that the Red Cross movement has now spread through 175 countries across the globe and its volunteers have been given restless services to the victims of war, natural calamities and others risking their lives.
Moreover, the Red Cross Society has been helping the people below the poverty line in ways of distributing blankets, hygienic kits among others, he added.
Lauding the tremendous services of the volunteers of the society during the COVID-19 pandemic, he informed that none of the volunteers of the society in the state were tested positive for COVID-19.
Nimai lastly sought the support and encouragement of the public in further rendering humanitarian services in the upcoming days.
A spot painting and extempore speech competitions were organised as a part of the observance and prizes were distributed to the first three winners of the competitions.
The State Merit Awards of the IRCS-MSB was also conferred to some selected members of the society acknowledging their notable efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the last two years.
The observance was also attended by chairman of IRCS-MSB Y Mohen Singh as president; chairman of Imphal East IRCS Narendra Ningomba and vice-chairman of IRCS-MSB Koijam Arunkanta as guests of honour.
A similar observance was also held at the Blood Bank of JNIMS, Imphal East where many volunteers had donated blood. It was organised by the IRCS, Imphal East District Branch.
The function was attended by director of Transport Nivedita L as chief guest; deputy commissioner of Imphal East Kh Diana as president and blood bank officer of JNIMS Dr Konsam Surjit as guest of honour.
