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Punjab Red Cross Society

The Red Cross symbol
Formation	1920
Type	Humanitarian organization
Purpose	Humanitarian aid
Region served	Punjab, India
Senior Field Officer	Mr. Krishan Kumar Saini
Main organ	National Managing Body
Website	[3]

Punjab Red Cross Society is a voluntary humanitarian organization that promotes humanitarian values at the grassroats level that include protection of life, health and human dignity, respect for human being, non-discrimination based on nationality, race, gender, religious, beliefs, class or political opinions, mutual understanding, friendship, co-operation and lasting peace among all people and volunteer service.

Mission

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. Vulnerable people are those who are at greatest risk from situations that threaten their survival, or their capacity to live with an acceptable level of social and economic security and human dignity. Often, these are victims of natural disasters, poverty brought about by socio-economic crises, refugees, and victims of health emergencies.

Origin

The Red Cross movement was born in 1863 with the objectives of serving the injured soldiers in the battlefield by its founder Sir Jean Henri Dunant, a Swiss citizen. Today, almost all the countries of the world have National Red Cross/Red Crescent Society and the objective today is not only to serve the wounded soldiers of all the wings of the armed forces but also to serve the suffering humanity affected by natural or man-made calamities including Floods, Earthquakes, Fires, Draughts, Civil Wars, Riots or Terrorism etc.

The spirit of Red Cross movement was not new at least in this part of the world because it was in the Holy City of Anandpur Sahib (Distt. Ropar) in Punjab, that Bhai Ghanayia, a devotee of Shir Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru, had kindled the light of serving the humanity without distinction of caste, creed or nationality, about 170 years before the birth of International Red Cross, when he served water and tended to wounds of injured soldiers of enemy and his own forces in the battle-field. Thus Red Cross today is carrying forward, in a way, the light which Bhai Ghanayia had shown more than 300 years ago. In India, Red Cross movement was introduced as a Society in 1920 under Central Govt. Legislative Act XV of 1920. The main objectives of the Indian Red Cross Society are: (a) Promotion of Health (b) Prevention of Disease and (c) Mitigation of Human Suffering. Since its inception Indian Red Cross Society has been doing a lot for mitigating human suffering in every field both during normal times, calamities, disasters and disturbed conditions as well as wars.

The Punjab State Red Cross Branch was established in 1925 with its office at Lahore, the then Capital of undivided Punjab. After partition in 1947, the State Branch Office was shifted to Shimla in 1948 and thereafter to Chandigarh in 1957. After re-organization of Punjab, the separate Branch of Punjab State Red Cross came into being in 1971. The Governor of Punjab is the President of State Red Cross and the Chief Minister, Punjab is the Vice President and Chairman. At the district level, there is a District Red Cross Branch and the Deputy Commissioner is its President. Similarly, at the sub-divisional level S.D.M. Is the President of Sub-divisional Branch.

ORGANIZATION

MANAGING BODY OF INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY, PUNJAB STATE BRANCH, CHANDIGARH

The following is the Governing Body of the State Branch:-

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Pro Vice Presidents
4. The Governor Punjab
5. The Chief Minister Punjab
   1. The First Lady of Punjab Raj Bhawan
   2. Wife of Chief Minister, Punjab

EX-OFFICO MEMBERS

• The Finance Minister, Punjab, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh
• The Health Minister, Punjab, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh
• The Education Minister, Punjab, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh
• The Chief Secretary to Govt. of Punjab, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh
• The Principal Secretary, Finance, Punjab, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh
• The Principal Secreatary, Health, Punjab, Mini Secretariat, Sector - 9, Chandigarh
• The Secretary, Social Security for Women & Child Development, Punjab, Mini Secretariat, Punjab, Sector - 9, Chandigarh
• The Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Punjab, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh
• The Secretary to Governor, Punjab, Punjab Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh
• The Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala
• The Chairman, Punjab Health System Corporation, Room No. 624, 6th Floor, Mini Sectt. Chandigarh.
• The Director, Health Services & Vice-Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, Punjab State Branch, Chandigarh
• The D.P.I. (Colleges), Punjab, Sector-17, Chandigarh.
• The D.P.I. (Schools), Punjab, Sector-17, Chandigarh.
• The D.P.I. (E.E.), Punjab, Sector-17, Chandigarh.

DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS & PRESIDENTS OF DISTT. RED CROSS BRANCHES

1. Amritsar
2. Barnala
3. Bathinda
4. Fatehgarh Sahib
5. Faridkot
6. Ferozepur
7. Gurdaspur
8. Hoshiarpur
9. Jalandhar
10. Kapurthala
11. Ludhiana
12. Mansa
13. Moga
14. Mohali
15. Muktsar
16. Nawan Shahar
17. Patiala
18. Ropar
19. Sangrur
20. Tarn Taran

ELECTED MEMBERS

1. Shri Rajeev Baja, Executive Committee, District Red Cross Branch - Hoshiarpur
2. Shri Ramesh Chander Jain, Advocate, Near Mandala Art Press, Old Cantt. Road - Faridkot
3. Shri Vijay Kumar Goyal, 18, Ghuman Colony - Patiala
4. S. Nachhattar Singh, M.D., Standard Combine Pvt. Ltd. - Barnala
5. Prof. Lakhbir Singh, H.No. 31-32, New Vivekanand Park, Maqsudan - Jalandhar
6. Mahant Gurmukh Dass, Tehsil Bazar - Tarn Taran
7. Smt. Neelam Bhagat, District Education Officer (Sec.) - Amritsar
8. The Distt. Education Officer (Sec.) - Fatehgarh Sahib
9. The Distt. Education Officer (Sec.) - Bathinda

NOMINATED MEMBER

1. Sh. Rajan Kashyap, IAS (Retd.), House No. 131, Sector - 10, Chandigarh
2. Sh. Jugraj Singh Gill, Kothi No. 43, Sector - 5, Chandigarh
3. Mrs. Kamaljit Kaur, Principal, Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School, Bharat Nagar, Ludhiana
4. The Managing Director, State Bank of Patiala, Patiala

SOCIAL WORKERS

1. Sh. Malkiat Singh Ragbotra, M/S Ragbotra Engg. Works, Phagwara, District Kapurthala
2. Smt. Adarsh Garg, W/o Sh. Darshan Lal Garg, Friends Colony, Moga

SPECIAL INVITEES

1. Lt. Col. (Ms.) Uma Ratra, Secretary, Child Welfare Council, Karuna Sadan Building, Sector - 11, Chandigarh

Seven Fundamental Principles

1. Humanity : The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all people.

2. Impartiality : It makes no discrimination as to nationally, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

3. Neutrality : In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

4. Independence : The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

5. Unity: There can be only one Red Cross Or Red Crescent in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

6. Universality : The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

7. Voluntary service : It is voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

The Emblems

Those who belong to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the Army Medical Services use the Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem. They are involved in humanitarian work mainly in times of armed conflicts and natural disasters. At present, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement use only the red cross and red crescent as emblems. The Geneva Conventions defines the use of these protective symbols in times of war. When the first Convention was adopted in 1864, it was clear that a symbol would be needed as a visible manifestation of the protection the Conventions afford. The symbol protects individuals who do not take part in hostilities such as civilians, the wounded and sick, and objects such as hospitals or vehicles in war zones.

The original choice was the reversed flag of Switzerland. This was chosen due to its neutrality as well as to honour the host country. Later it became clear that the red cross caused difficulty for some countries. In 1929, the red crescent was formally adopted as a protective emblem and is now used by many Islamic countries.

The emblem, apart from being used for protective purposes on the battlefield, are also used as indicative symbols for all the work of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.

HISTORY OF THE EMBLEMS

1863-1864: The choice of the Red Cross The International Conference, which met in Geneva in 1863, recommended the establishment of National Red Cross Societies and adopted ten resolutions and four recommendations. One of these resolutions proposed that voluntary medical personnel attached to armies should wear, as a uniform distinctive sign, in all countries, a white armlet with a red cross. The Conference also recommended that a uniform distinctive sign should be recognised for the Medical Corps of all armies. The following year representatives from the states agreed that hospitals, ambulances and evacuation parties on the battlefield should use a flag bearing a red cross on a white ground, and personnel enjoying neutrality should use an armlet with the same design.

1876: The first use of the Red Crescent During the conflict between Russia and Turkey, Turkey decided not to use the Red Cross emblem, which was considered as having religious connotations. Instead, they used the Red Crescent.

1929: The authorisation for the use of the Red Crescent and the Red Lion-and-sun The 1929 Geneva Convention authorised, in addition to the Red Cross, the use of the Red Crescent or the Red Lion and Sun on a white ground. A number of Islamic countries used the Red Crescent while Persia (Iran) used the Red Lion-and-Sun as its emblem.

1949: The confirmation of the existing emblems The Diplomatic Conference, which adopted the 1949 Geneva Conventions, decided to maintain recognition of the three recognised emblems only. New requests for the recognition of other emblems were not accepted.

1965: The first Regulations on the use of the emblem by National Societies

Regulations on the use of the emblem by National Societies were established by the XXth International Conference of the Red Cross; based on the Geneva Conventions, they provide additional details on how National Societies can use the emblem. The Regulations were revised in 1991.

1980: Iran adopts the Red Crescent Iran announced that they had adopted the Red Crescent as their distinctive sign instead of the Red Lion and Sun.

1997: Ongoing discussions regarding a fourth emblem There are ongoing discussions regarding the establishment of a new emblem, which would allow National Societies considering the use of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent to be inappropriate to join the Movement.

Volunteer

Active co-operation and involvement of all the people of the State is solicited to enable Red Cross to provide the much needed services to the people in need. With regular voluntary donations from generous donors and sympathizers, Red Cross movment in Punjab will continue to march ahead in its humanitarian and welfare services and its efforts in mitigating the human suffering.

All volunteers are entitled to choose to become a Member of Punjab Red Cross Society, can have appropriate training or personnel development to be able to undertake their agreed tasks or role; and accept or refuse any task or role in accordance of a code of ethic or fundamentals of a voluntary service.

Programmes and activities

RELIEF SERVICES

As the Red Cross is mainly a relief organization, people look upon it for immediate help during any natural or man-made calamity or disaster. The Punjab Red Cross generally provides relief to the suffering people during calamities like Floods, Fires, Earthquakes etc. in the form of earthquake ration, clothes, blankets, milk powder, wheat, rice, medicines etc. through the Social Workers and Volunteers of Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Brigade.

Relief Warehouses Red Cross Relief Warehouses are located at Bathinda, Jalandhar and Chandigarh, where relief material is stocked for rushing at the time of emergency to the needy and affected people in the State.

HEALTH SERVICES

Hospital Welfare Services Hospital Welfare Sections are at all District Headquarters and at Nangal, Naya Nangal, Talwara and Shahpur-Kandi Project Areas. The Hospital Welfare Sections are run by the Red Cross Lady Social Workers under the leadership of the Chairperson, who normally is the wife of the Deputy Commissioner and at the Projects, there is the wife of the General Commissioner and at the Projects, there is the wife of the General Manager/Chief Engineer incharge, who provide medicines, extra diet, financial assistance and articles of relief to poor and needy patients. These Social Workers also run other activities through voluntary donations and organising Melas, Fetes, Raffles etc.

Mother and Child Health Centres These centres are being run by Red Cross at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur where Immunization services are provided to pregnant mothers and children.

Maternity Hospital One Maternity Hospital at Jagraon (Distt. Ludhiana) is being run for maternity care.

Family Welfare Centres These centres function at Amritsar and Jalandhar where free Family Welfare Services are provided.

Dispensary District Branch of Kapurthala is running a Homeopathic Dispensary where patients are provided free treatment.

Blood Bank Grid and Blood Bank Societies To provide safe blood to needy patients, Red Cross Blood Bank Societies are functioning in various districts of Punjab who motivate people and organise camps to collect blood from volunteers for supply to needy patients. Ludhiana Blood Bank Grid has a capacity to store 1,000 units of blood at a time.

Saket Hospital Punjab Red Cross established 34 bedded hospital near Khalsa College Colony at Patiala for free treatment of Polio affected children. These days OPD for Orthopedic cases is being run. For treatment of drug addicts Drug Deaddiction Centre is also working in this building.

Artificial Limbs Manufacturing and Fitting Centres For the welfare of disabled and handicapped persons, Artificial Limb Manufacturing Centres are functioning at Amritsar, Faridkot and Patiala where Artificial Limbs are manufactured as well as fitted to the handicapped persons to enable them to lead an independent life.

Physiotherapy Centres Physiotherapy Centres are being run at Amritsar, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar & Patiala where physiotherapy services are provided by Red Cross at very concessional rates.

SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES

The State Branch is providing welfare services which are the need of the day such as :-

Drug De-addiction and Counselling Centres

To help the Drug-Addicts to give up the addiction and over-come Drug Abuse, Red Cross is running De-addiction Centers at Khanpur (Ropar), Patiala, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Moga, Faridkot, Sangrur, Nawan Shahar and Counselling Center at Chandigarh where the addicts are given free treatment, Yoga Therapy and counseling services, so that they develop strong will power to desist the attraction and craving for drug abuse. Family counseling services by qualified Psychiatrists are provided to the addicts to enable them to overcome their addiction. Thousands of addicts have benefitted through these centres.

Drug De-addicted Center for Women A Drug De-addiction Center exclusively for women has been started at Saket Hospital Compelx at Patiala. It is the first such center in India for the women addicts.

Balwadis and Creches For children under 5 years, Balwadis and Creches are being run at Bathinda, Sangrur, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Mansa, Patiala, Nangal Township, Naya Nangal, Talwara and Shahpur Kandi where alongwith providing nutritious diet, children are educated with the help of Charts, Toys and Games.

Senior Citizen Homes/Clubs For Senior Citizens, Homes are being run by Red Cross at Faridkot, Ludhiana, Khanna and Jalandhar, where arrangements have been made for their entertainment besides food and shelter. At Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar and Bathinda Senior Citizens Clubs are also being run by the Red Cross for the welfare of the aged people.

Working Women Hostels for working women are being run at Amritsar, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar and Sangrur while Bathinda has two hostels.

Schools for Deaf & Dumb and Mentally Retarded Children

Such schools are being run at Amritsar, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur and Patiala. A hospital for Deaf & Dumb and Mentally Retarded children has been set up at Bathinda.

Home for Blinds District Branch of Faridkot has set up Home for blind students.

Community Services are being provided at the following places :-

1. Bhojan Bhandars are functioning at Faridkot, Ferozepur, Bathinda, Ropar and Nangal.
2. Sarais/Musafir khannas are being run at Mansa, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Faridkot, Gurdaspur and Talwara.
3. Reading Rooms have been provided at Khanna, Ropar, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar.

Craft and Production Centres are being run at Bathinda, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Patiala, Ropar, Nangal, Naya Nangal, Talwara and Shahpur Kandi where stitiching and embroidery training is imparted for rehabilitation of widows and girls of poor families. Items like Dusters prepared at Naya Nangal Centre are sold to Govt. and other offices.

Tracing Punjab being the border state, requests are received from the National Headquarters to trace missing persons. Punjab Red Cross has set up tracing cell with the help and co-operation of Govt. authorities like Home and Prison departments of the State Govt. Messages of missing persons are passed on to their families.

Funeral Van Services for carrying the dead bodies to the cremation grounds, Funeral Van services are provided by Red Cross at Chandigarh, Faridkot, Jalandhar, Patiala and Ropar at nominal charges.

St. John Ambulance and Brigade First Aid and Home Nursing being an integral part of Red Cross movement, the training in First-Aid on a regular basis is imparted by Trained Lecturers through the State and District Red Cross Branches to the students, teachers, factory workers and personnel of transport deptt.

First Aid Posts For providing timely First-Aid to the injured and patients, First-Aid Posts are set up in the State by Red Cross at the Fairs, Sports Events and other religious gatherings in Punjab and in neighboring States.

Ambulance Services Red Cross has fleet of 16 Ambulance Vans in the State at District and Sub-divisional level. Ambulance services are also being provided by the State Branch at Chandigarh.

Patient Care Assistance

Punjab Red Cross is providing Patient Care Attendants for care of senior citizens, ailing persons at their door steps on request for such services.

Help line Punjab Red Cross is running a 24 hour help line on Telephone No. 0172-2780827. The Ambulance, Funeral Van & Patient Care services are also available on this number.

Regional Training Centre' To meet the long need of North Region, the Punjab Red Cross has started a Regional Training Centre in office building. This centre is providing FirstAid Training, HIV/AIDS Awareness, knowledge about Red Cross movement and other programmes to fight the social evils. The training camps for school and college students of the Region are being arranged at the Regional Training Centre. As there was no training centre for Red Cross programmes in this part of the country, the staff & volunteers of State & District Red Cross Branches of India will be given training in the Regional Training Centre.

Red Cross Computer Training Centre Punjab Red Cross imparts training of Computer Hardware & Networking

JUNIOR RED CROSS/YOUTH RED CROSS

Junior Red Cross/Youth Red Cross Junior Red Cross movement is the training ground for Red Cross volunteers, where they grow up. Hence the JRC wing of Red Cross attracts our attention to the maximum and to fulfil this aim, the movement is introduced at school and college level. In the schools JRC groups have been formed to achieve JRC objectives of Health, Service and Friendship. State level as well as Inter-State Camps are organised every year for the students to inculcate feeling of service to humanity.

In order to involve more and more youth in Red Cross programme, Punjab Red Cross has formed Youth Red Cross Units in the Colleges of Punjab. For purpose the services of the Universities & NSS Programme Co-ordinators are being taken.

JRC Model Schools Junior Red Cross Model Schools have been formed in the districts of Amritsar, Faridkot, Ferozpur, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa & Mohali.

JOURNALS

The Punjab Red Cross Journal To spread the message of service to humanity and health care as well as to encourage the quest for general knowledge, a quarterly journal is being published in multi languages i.e. English, Hindi and Punjabi for circulation among colleges, libraries and general public with a nominal subscription of Rs. 100/- per year for colleges, Sec. Schools and Rs. 50/- for Elementary schools.

ADDRESSES

INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY National Headquarters 1, Red Cross Road New Delhi 110001. Tel: (+91-11) 233716441/2/3 Fax: (+91-11) 23717454, 23717063

PUNJAB RED CROSS BHAWAN Sector 16, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh-160016 2542180, 2780827 Fax: 2549434

External links

• Offical Indian Red Cross Society Website
• Official Punjab Red Cross Society Website

Category:Red Cross national societies Category:Charities based in India Category:Medical and health organisations based in India Category:Humanitarian aid organizations