The Junior Red Cross (JRC) wing of the Indian Red Cross Society convened its working committee meeting here on Friday. Minister of School and Mass Education Rabi Narayan Nanda, who is also the chairman of the JRC working committee, presided, whereas JRC secretary Dr MP Mohanty placed the budget and annual action report plan.
The Minister commended the sanitation drive of the JRC in various schools across the State. He said that 98 per cent schools in the State observe the Global Hand Washing Day every year and it records 61 per cent availability of soaps in school toilets, which is highest. He said that the JRC counsellors of each school should ensure proper hand wash before mid-day meal (MDM) at schools. Besides, Nanda proposed a new programme ‘Ame Gadhiba, Ama Gaon,’ which would create awareness on health, hygiene and cleanliness in the tribal belts of the State.
As a part of the Clean City, Green City drive, it was discussed that the urban slum cleanliness drive would be organised in two more districts including Jajpur and Puri. He suggested that various school health programmes should be integrated with the Red Cross for conducting blood grouping, study-cum-training camps for JRC volunteers at all the districts and volunteers from each block should participate.
It was also decided that priority would be given on herbal and medicinal plantation on school premises along with fruit and vegetable trees. Schools with MDM programme and a kitchen garden would be preferred.
Among others, School and Mass Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Usha Padhee, State Secondary Education Director Benudhar Dash, State Elementary Education Director Shibabrata Dash and JRCO (I/C) Dr Sarita Supakar were present.