During the inaugural session of the meeting Dr. Chakradhar Panda, Secretary YRC extended a warm welcome to the members present and subsequently placed the budget and annual action plan before the committee. He emphasized on the new initiatives to be taken by Youth Red Cross Odisha to build the capacity of Youth Red Cross Volunteers. Besides, he made a power point presentation on YRC Annual activities 2014-15. During the session Dr. Panda also stressed the key role of Red Cross in upcoming Nabakalebara festival and requested all present members to extend their possible support towards this unique endeavor.
In this meeting Shri Gagan Kumar Dhal, I.A.S., Principal Secretary to Govt. Department of Higher Education, Govt. of Odisha and Vice Chairman, Sate Working Committee, Youth Red Cross, Odisha, Prof.(Dr.) Nihar Ranjan Pattnaik, Director, Higher Education, Prof.(Dr.) Basudev Chhatoi, Chairman, Council of Higher Secondary Education, Dr. Upendra Nath Sahu, SLO cum Deputy Secretary to Govt., Sri Sourjya Ranjan Parija, Deputy Director, (PE/NCC), and Principal, Rajendra (A) College, Bolangir, YRC Counsellor B. Govinda Rao, Dr. Binodini Nath etc participated in the said meeting as members.
Honourable Minister expressed that the activity of Youth Red Cross must create the feelings of presence of YRC in the State. He said that 100 percent Blood requirement of the State can only be met by the youth volunteers and stressed that Students who have given 2 times blood in a year will be given priority during the time of taking admission in Colleges. Dr, Panigrahi also requested to the Director and others present to ensure that the Voluntary Blood Donation Camps in all Colleges must be organized under the aegis of Youth Red Cross.By highlighting the importance of first aid Dr. Panigrahi suggested all present YRC counsellors to take trainings on First Aid. And to conduct similar trainings in their respective colleges to enhance the skill of the volunteers on First Aid.
All the committee members reiterated the need of organizing more Youth Red Cross Programmes at the District level and to impart more training for youth volunteers across the State in order to drive the youth power and volunteerism towards the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable people of the society.
The meeting ended with a formal vote of thanks by Sri Govinda Chandra Mahunta, Honorary Joint Secretary.