Rabiratna Das, former honorary secretary of Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State branch passed away on December 13 after prolonged illness. He took over the reins of the State branch on July 15, 2000, when the branch was in dire straits and relinquished the office on March 2, 2009 on his own volition.
It was an honour and proud privilege to associate ourselves with him, as life members, in all sorts of humanitarian activities carried out by the Red Cross during his stint. Late Das was a former member of the Indian Administrative Service and held many important positions in the Government.
Many of us now appreciate and feel that he was the right choice because of his immense contribution to the organization. Life members were impressed and overwhelmed by his humbleness, devotion, honesty, simplicity in attire and informal behaviour, calmness in adverse situations, leadership quality and far sightedness. He did not believe in deceit and showiness.
The word ‘I’ did not exist in his dictionary or day to day in deliberations. For every success or achievement he would say it belongs to all. His code word was ‘we’. In our long association, we had never found him getting angry with anyone. These were his greatest virtues.
Very few people possess such qualities. He never cornered the honours or glory bestowed on the State branch as the best performing branch in the country in field of membership drive, blood donation and humanitarian service successively by the national headquarters of the Indian Red Cross Society, the President of India and the State Government to himself though his leadership ensured such accolades. On the contrary, he would share it with all members and office staff for collective efforts.
His tireless and fruitful effort to financially stabilize the State branch is a legend in itself. Many national societies like German Red Cross, American Red Cross and Spanish Red Cross partnered with the State branch during his tenure and the most important of them was the funding by the German Red Cross through KFW for disaster mitigation programme, building of cyclone shelters and empowerment of people in cyclone prone areas.
The formation of ‘Red Ribbon’ clubs under the aegis of Youth Red Cross, awareness programmes against AIDS, organization of mega blood donation camp at Bhubaneswar in 2002, health camps in remote and Maoist areas in Deogarh, Angul, Khordha, Rayagada, Gajapati and Nuapada districts etc., and animal health camp alongside a health camp at Haluapali in Sunabeda jungle area of Nuapada district on the eve of World Health Day, 2008 are a few to name.
In reality, he gave a momentum to the blood donation programme which took blood collection several notches higher. Humanitarian services including relief work during natural calamities were carried out with full commitment.
The project ‘To Reach Unreached’ funded by Empress Shoken Fund was launched during 2008 in health sector in Dasapalla area of Nayagarh district was his parting gift. He also started the Adopted Village concept in Red Cross State branch. His achievements are too many to chronicle.
The tranquility and peaceful environment and camaraderie of the time will never return. He gave a life and meaning to Red Cross activities. In short, the period was the ‘Golden Era’ in the history of the State branch unlikely to be emulated.
In his passing away, the Red Cross Society has lost a friend, philosopher and guide and the loss is genuine. We mourn his loss, a jewel, so dear to all of us.
(The writers are life members of Indian Red Cross Society)