Rodrigues urges people to take leadership role in Red Cross Movement

Chandigarh, May 9 (UNI) Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Union Territory Administrator General (Retd.) S F Rodrigues today called upon people to take a leadership role in the Red Cross Movement.

"We have to change our mindset and attitudes and work with commitment and dedication for creating a strong network of selfless service for the poor and needy, rising above all considerations of caste, creed and religion-the basic doctrine of the Red Cross Movement", he said while presiding over the State Level World Red Cross Day function at the Panjab University here.

Appreciating the theme of World Red Cross Day during the year 2008-09 "Working Together to Combat Climate Change", General Rodrigues said that this issue was a matter of serious concern for the whole world as there had been a massive increase in natural disasters and calamities during the year 2007 and climate change was causing cyclones and floods.

He expressed anguish over the recent Myanmar tragedy, in which a huge loss of life and property had been reported.

Expressing serious concern over the alarming increase in drug addiction in the state, General Rodrigues said that this was posing a serious threat to our social system.

He emphasized the need for a collective action, by the community as a whole, to check drug abuse, by adopting multi-prolonged supportive strategies at different levels, including education, preventive and therapeutic treatment, training and the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

He said that besides generating awareness and counseling of drug addicts, there was a need of bringing them into the mainstream, by giving them vocational training and rehabilitating them in productive ventures.

He called upon the participants to work with devotion and dedication to fight against this societal problem by educating public opinion and contributing according to their capacities and capabilities. "This is indeed a challenge for all of us, which can be only met with commitment and a practical approach", he added.

Lauding the role of Punjab State Branch of the Red Cross for undertaking various activities for eradication of social evils and promotion of blood donation movement through its volunteers, the Governor emphasized the need for bringing maximum committed people to the fold of this movement.

He said said that no voluntary movement could be successful unless and until it motivated the people to become part of it.

General Rodrigues went round the educative stalls put up by Red Cross Society. He interacted with students and teachers and motivated them to bring maximum children to the fold of Red Cross Movement.

The Governor hoisted the Red Cross Flag and took the oath with Red Cross Volunteers on the occasion. He honoured Punjab Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah for his significant contribution towards Red Cross Movement and taking lead in drug de-addiction programmes in border district of Gurdaspur.

He presented mementos to eminent philanthropists and heads of various NGOs for their contribution towards the Red Cross Movement.

He also gave away prizes to the children who got distinguished positions in on the spot painting competition and paper reading contest on the theme of Red Cross.

UNI VKJ MMS2014