World Red Cross day, being the birthday of founder of the Red Cross Movement noble laureate Sir Henry Dunant, was observed at IRCS NHQ, where Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad Hon’ble Chairman IRCS & Hon’ble Union Health Minister, Government of India was the chief guest. Dr Nata, WR, WHO, Mr Azmat Ullah, Head SARD IFRC, Mr Francois Stamm, Mr. John Roche, Head, Indian Office, IFRC and other Heads of the PNS’s also spoke on the occasion and participated in the function. The Hon’ble Chairman also inaugurated the Multipurpose Conference Facility which has sophisticated Adobe Connect software.

Inaugurating the facility, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “The multipurpose video conferencing facility would enable remote users to get connected easily with the IRCS NHQ, which would constitute to maximize its value and reduction in costs for monitoring different projects. Overall it would facilitate improved communication of National Society with its branches allowing continuous dialogue which contributes to timely decision making. The use of Modern Information technologies like installation of special software to convert this facility into a virtual training room is laudable. ”

Talking about the theme for this year Find the Volunteer inside You, Shri Azad said that the spirit of volunteering and selfless service should spread in the community to check the erosion of humanitarian values. He added that the organization has grown from strength to strength in its 151-year history due to deep rooted voluntary spirit. “I have witnessed the commitment of the Red Cross volunteers on several occasions, including the Leh Cloudburst on 5th 6th August, 2010 when despite sun burn they operated water sanitation unit round the clock”, he mentioned. He emphasized upon increasing the number of voluntary blood donors and said that this is a unique kind of voluntary service. Blood transcends all boundaries of cast, religion and can be a great unifying factor for promoting universal brotherhood.

Dr. S.P Agarwal, Secretary General, IRCS informed that over 12 million Indian Red Cross volunteers, members and officials are participating in a series of special actions, events and programmes such as public rallies, seminars, runs, workshops, blood donation etc. to emphasize the importance of volunteering in the country. He added that eminent volunteers are being facilitated to motivate people to join hands with the Indian Red Cross which is the leading humanitarian organization in the country.