Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 19
Nagaland Governor PB Acharya and Chief Minister TR Zeliang today addressed the ceremonial function of the 31st Annual General Meeting of the Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland state branch held at Raj Bhavan.
Acharya, who is also presidential of IRCS Nagaland in his address, stated that in the Annual General Meeting, there should be a review to find out new methods to reach out to the people. Out of the 11 districts, 8 districts do not have any new membership this year; therefore, the Red Cross Society in Nagaland should strive to reach out to more people across the State.
He said under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the poor are not fully benefitted due to the lack of awareness, so the Red Cross volunteers should make efforts to reach out to the poor, to serve the people in a new dimensional way by creating awareness of such schemes. Nagaland still demands attention for the poor, Red Cross can be a nodal agency, a soldier to circulate “Sabke liye, sabke vikas.” (Sabke Liye Aawas Yojana).
Zeliang, who is also vice president of IRCS Nagaland, placed on record his sincere appreciation to the IRCS Nagaland state branch for making huge strides in taking up various social service-oriented and humanitarian activities across the state.
“Such achievements could not have been possible without proper guidance and sound leadership, “ he said and acknowledged Abeni TCK, Chairperson, IRCS, Nagaland, Dr. K Kepelhousie Terhuja, General Secretary, IRCS, Nagaland and the DC of the eleven districts for their exemplary leadership and also felicitated the officers, staff and members of the Society of both the State and Districts.
“What stands out as truly remarkable and noteworthy is of the society participating in the implementation process of some key Centrally Sponsored Welfare programmes,” he said. “We should continue to encourage our patrons, members and well-wishers to come forward and contribute generously for the cause of the needy,” he said.
The CM also called upon all the members of IRCS Nagaland state branch to give a close look at what the society has been doing in the past several decades. “On study of the reports filed over the years, it is seen that the society, since embarking on its noble mission of working for the needy have indeed covered much grounds notwithstanding the limited resources! Yet, we also need to humbly acknowledge the fact that much more needs to be done,” he said.
In his welcome address, Member, Managing Committee, IRCSN, Dr. Neiphi Kire mentioned that the Red Cross offers countless voluntary services through their global organisation. The mission of the Red Cross is to save lives, to protect livelihood, to mitigate the impact of natural disasters, to give relief works and to promote non-violence and peace. He also mentioned that Nagaland is situated in the Red Zone of seismic belt where the threat of earthquakes is ever present and with global warming on the rise, since sudden outburst of floods, landslides, droughts are more on the rise, we should analyse the strengths and weaknesses and come together to help one another during such disasters.
IRCSN general secretary Dr. Kepelhusie Terhuja, gave a report on the Business Session where the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on August 18 was read out.
The programme was chaired by Vice-Chairman, Dr. S. I. Tushi Ao, who also delivered the vote of thanks. Invocation prayer was pronounced by State Chaplain, Nagaland, Rev. Kuzeirang Tho-u and special numbers were presented by Sanctuary Choir, Union Baptist Church, Kohima.
