In today’s society, it is a matter of pride and honour to be known as Red Cross volunteer, said Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal at the annual prize distribution ceremony of the Odisha Red Cross here on Thursday.
Lal said the Red Cross has not confined itself to combating emergencies. Instead it has involved in all sufferings of human beings. There is no substitute to the pleasure one gets from service to mankind. Red Cross is the organisation which gives the opportunity to get such pleasure, he added.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das attending the function praised the Red Cross for handling disasters and helping the people who are in distress.
Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo and School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash praised the efforts of the Red Cross volunteers in the aftermath of cyclone Fani which hit the State on May 3.
On the occasion, Sambalpur district Collector was conferred with the Debadatta Memorial Award for social activities. For the best collection of Red Cross funds, the district Collectors of Jajpur, Keonjhar and Sambalpur were awarded with trophies and certificates. For lifelong dedication Rabiratna Das, former Chief Minister Sudhansu Bhusan Mishra and Bijay Kumar Sahu were felicitated with citations.
Besides, 25 people with disabilities were provided with wheel chairs, sewing machines, grinders and musical instruments. The programme was coordinated by Sumitra Tripathi.