Nabakalebara 2015: Odisha Guv inaugurates IRC Social Service Camp
On the auspicious occasion of Nabakalebara, Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch in association with Youth Red Cross, Junior Red Cross and District Red Cross Branch, Puri has organised Social Service Camp in Puri to provide health & care services to the pilgrims and visitors during Car Festival 2015. Where more than 1000 hundred YRC, JRC volunteers, SDRT, NDRT, DDRT, shelter volunteers, life members and a team of scuba divers to render their voluntary service in the said camp. The Social Service Camp on the occasion of Rath Yatra 2015 was inaugurated on 17th July 2015 at SCS College, Puri.
The prime objective of such camp is to provide Health & care services, cleanliness and most importantly to present an opportunity for the YRC and JRC volunteers across the state to congregate and exchange ideas. Through this social service camp safe drinking water, generic medicine, stretcher services, Ambulance service, First Aid service etc. was provided to the pilgrims & visitors.
Dr. S.C. Jamir, His Excellency, Governor, Odisha and President, Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch inaugurated the Social Service Camp as the Chief Guest and praised the efforts of volunteers and said since its inception Odisha red cross playing a very pivotal in role in voluntary service during CAR festivals and this volunteer spirit will continues to shine with its unique identity in serving the pilgrims during the festival of Rath Yatra.
Shri Debi Prasad Mishra, Hon’ble Minister, Industry, School & Mass Education, Odisha and Chairman, Junior Red Cross preside over the meeting and highlighted on the objectives of the event and lucidly shared few initiaves about Nabakalebara. By addressing the present volunteers Shri. Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Hon’ble Minister Health & Family Welfare, Chairman Working Committee Red Cross suggested to work in a collective manner for the smooth management for First Aid Camps, Grand Road Cleaning programmes etc.
Dr.Pradip Ku. Panigarhi during his address expressed the important role of Red Cross and its volunteers during the Nabakalebara. And to increase the interest of volunteers he declared to give an allowance of 1000 rupees to meritious volunteers who have participated in the camp.
Dr. Chakradhara Panda, Honorary Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch extended the welcome address in this occasion. During the session Dr.Panda described different initiatives of Red Cross which has specially conducted by Red Cross by looking forward the huge gathering of Nabakalebara. The Program was ended with vote of thanks by Dr.Ramachandra Dash,Principal of SCS College and Dr.Kalpana Dash of Red Cross.
During the Car Festival the trained volunteers of Red Cross have rendered stretcher services, Water sprayer services to provide pilgrims relief from the intense heat and humidity, Ambulance for emergency services and a team of scuba divers were deployed to save the drowning people from sea. IRCS-OSB in joint collaboration with Govt. of Odisha opened 24 First Aid centers in different routes from Bhubaneswar to Puri to provide basic first aid services to pilgrims. 6 other emergency Health center with temporary hospital with doctors, volunteers and generic medicines were also opened in Grand Road including Bagadia Dharmasal,Mousima Temple square, Gundicha Mandir main entrance, Utkal Hindi Vidyapitha Bada akhada Matha and Narendra Kona where First Aid services were provided to more than 1000 persons.Besides, Red Cross volunteers and life members were deployed at the District Head Quarter Hospital, Puri for rendering health & care services to the pilgrim and people. After the departure of Chariots to Gundicha Temple the YRC, JRC Volunteers, Counselors, Members, and Shelter Volunteers and staff of Red Cross have undertaken the noble endeavor of Bada Danda cleaning i.e. form Singhadwara as symbol of commitment of Red Cross to health, hygiene and sanitation.