Red Cross can play vital role in eradicating social evils: Shukla
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today called upon the Red Cross volunteers and women to work in unison against drug abuse. He said women, particularly girl students, should come forward as Laxmibai against drug abuse.
He was addressing a gathering during the inaugural function of the district-level Red Cross fair organised by the District Red Cross Society, Solan, in Nalagarh today.
“The Red Cross is a social campaign working for the cause of the suffering humanity and it can also be utilised for eradicating social evils from society, especially during the occasions like Red Cross fairs. He urged the people to associate themselves with the Red Cross so that humanitarian activities could be undertaken to provide succour to the under-privileged.
The Governor said the fair was a testimony to the spirit of compassion, unity and service, which defines the Red Cross Movement.
He said the Red Cross is doing pioneering work in Himachal Pradesh through its various branches. Whether it was providing medicines free of cost or medical facilities to the poor or helping the people affected by natural disasters, the Red Cross has always proved to be of help to the needy in difficult situations, he added.
He urged the industrialists to donate generously towards the Red Cross Funds and also directed the district branch to add more life members.
On the occasion, the Governor released the book “Kainth ke Ped”, written by Rajot Singh. He also honoured donors, including Manoj Aggarwal, Shashi Kaushal, Surender Sharma and Chaudhary Harbhajan Singh, on the occasion.
Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, District Red Cross Society Manmohan Sharma, said this society, which started with only 10 persons, has more than 850 life members in Solan district.
Earlier, the Governor inaugurated the Blood Bank Component Separation Unit constructed at the cost of Rs 2 crore on the initiative of the Indian Red Cross Society, Himachal Pradesh and Corporate Social Responsibility of Kinvan Private Limited.
Later, the Governor attended the Nasha Nivaran Jan Jagran programme at Radiali Panchayat of Nalagarh Development Block. On the occasion, the Governor said he had launched a campaign against drug abuse at the panchayat level in the entire State. He said representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions were associated with this campaign. He said the illegal drug business had increased rapidly in Himachal Pradesh. “We all are concerned about drug abuse as it is a question of the future of the coming generation. We all need to fight against this evil together,” said Shukla.
The Governor said the fight against drug abuse needs to be started from every household. “If every person stands firmly against drug abuse, this problem will go away on its own,” he added. He also urged the local MLA to run a campaign against drug abuse. He said de-addiction centres should be opened in the government sector. The Governor sought the support of women in the Jan Jagran Abhiyan for de-addiction.
The Governor visited pharmaceutical unit Dr Reddy’s Laboratories at Thana village in Nalagarh. State Drugs Controller Manish Kapoor informed him that given the number of drugs produced in the state, a very small number fell in the category where drugs failed quality parameters. Earlier, the Governor had expressed his concern at many drug samples failing quality parameters. According to a Health Ministry survey, the national percentage of substandard medicines stands at 3.16 pc. In comparison, Himachal Pradesh’s figure over last three years is significantly lower at 1.22 pc, less than half the national average.
