Nagaland governor PB Acharya on Thursday called upon the members of the Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland (IRCSN) to follow the seven principles of the Red Cross Society.
“When our state is being hit with natural calamities and tragedies, it is the right time for the members to motivate themselves and reach out to the affected people by conducting motivational camps, train the people in first aid, rescue operation, setting up health camps and putting in more efforts to see to the need of the state,” he said while addressing the 32nd annual general meeting of the Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland state branch, at the Red Cross complex, Kohima.
Acharya, who is also the president of the IRCSN, cited examples of donors like actor Sushant Singh Rajput who donated Rs 1.25 crore towards the flood-hit state. He called upon the members to donate during such times and also motivate the people to do the same since the state has requirement for a central aid of Rs 800 crore as disaster relief.
He said the contribution of fund towards disaster relief on humanitarian ground till date is only Rs 2 crore approximately.
The governor assured to take up the matter of the central aid towards the disaster relief on priority.
On the functioning of the IRCSN, Acharya said the members need to be more motivated and more members should be enrolled in the society as there are only three Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) active districts in the state.
He stated that the IRCS service was most needed during such disasters. He appreciated the good works, services and the motivation rendered by the personnel of the Assam Rifles during such disasters.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is the vice president of IRCSN, in his address said the Nagaland Red Cross Society has been actively continuing its works in the service of humanity.
With the continuing membership drives, extending help to the needy, conducting blood donation camps, motivation campaigns, first-aid training and workshops, Indian Red Cross Nagaland chapter has proved that they are second to none when it comes to serving the people, he stated.
Rio mentioned that the annual general meeting is also an opportunity to evaluate our past performances and formulate the plan of actions for years to come in order to conceive strategies to expand the activities of the IRCS.
In order to ensure that Red Cross remains vibrant and active, one needs to reach out to more people, in particular to the youth and people in the remote areas, he said.