JAMMU :Minister for Medical Education, Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports Mr. R. S. Chib today inaugurated the annual 2-day Red Cross Mela, 2011, here today at Kala Kendra Jammu.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, who is also Chairman Regional Red Cross Society, also accompanied the Minister.
The Mela is organized every year to provide opportunities to various organizations to reach out to the people, create awareness about the Red Cross and its activities as well as giving impetus to the Red Cross Movement.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stressed for involving youth with the Red Cross activities which include extending service to society, particular downtrodden lot and those facing distress due to manmade or natural calamities, besides providing services to destitute, orphans and needy people. He appealed the general public to participate in the Red Cross Mela, 2011 in large number to make it a grand success.
The Minister went around various stalls set up by the government departments, NGO’s and educational institutions.
To make the event more attractive government and private schools and other organizations have put up Joy Rides and organized Magic Show, Inter School Dance Competition, Photo Exhibition of social works and Bhajan Sandha etc.
Open Song Competition, Baby Show, DJ Dance, BSF, CRPF, JKP Bands, Sham-e-Gazal , Photo Exhibition on Birds, cultural items etc are some other highlights of the Mela.
The Mela would also have stalls selling state cuisines like Wazwan, Kehva and Kebab, Dogri Food, Chat Papri, Fast Food & Ice Cream,
The government departments would also have their stall whereat the officials would provide pamphlets and other material with regard to their various schemes.
The Minister, who was earlier greeted by the school children and Scouts and Guides, lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the beginning of cultural items, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, which was highly appreciated by the audience.
Mr. Chib appreciated the Cultural Academy for promoting cultural activities in the state. He also applauded the Red Cross for its role in extending help to the people during natural eventualities. He said that it was Red Cross which was taking care of the destitute and helping the victims of natural calamities from time to time.
Among others, Secretary Regional Red Cross Society, Mr. Anil Padha, Joint Director Information, Mr. Soujanya Sharma, Additional Secretary Cultural Academy, Jammu Savita Bakhshi, President Bari Brahmana Industries Association, Mr. Anil Suri, representatives of various NGOs, senior officers, philanthropists, prominent citizens and a large number of students were present on the occasion.