Governor Encourages Youth to Embrace Selfless Service at State-Level Red Cross Award Ceremony
Bhubaneswar March 7: The youth are the future of our nation, and by choosing the path of selfless service, they contribute to building a progressive and inclusive society, said Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati while speaking at the State Level Youth Red Cross (YRC) and Junior Red Cross (JRC) Award Giving Ceremony at New Abhishek Hall, Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, on Friday.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” the Governor encouraged young volunteers to take initiative, inspire others, and create a lasting impact through acts of kindness and service.
The ceremony recognized the contributions of YRC and JRC volunteers, counselors, and units for their humanitarian work from 2019-20 to 2023-24.
Dr. Kambhampati praised their dedication, calling them essential in promoting compassion, volunteerism, and leadership among young people.
“Youth Red Cross and Junior Red Cross provide a platform for students to engage in social welfare, health awareness, disaster response, and voluntary service,” he said, adding that their efforts significantly contribute to building a resilient and compassionate society.
Highlighting the challenges of the modern world—ranging from natural disasters to public health crises—the Governor described Red Cross volunteers as beacons of hope. “Their work not only saves lives but also inspires others to contribute towards a better society,” he noted.
Congratulating the awardees, he expressed pride in Odisha’s strong Red Cross network. He noted that Junior Red Cross units actively function in all schools across the state, with over 10 lakh volunteers, while Youth Red Cross units operate in more than 3,000 colleges, involving one lakh active volunteers.
Dr. Kambhampati credited these volunteers for Odisha’s national recognition in voluntary blood donation and fundraising efforts. Encouraging more students to join the movement, he emphasized that Red Cross activities instill empathy, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
He also commended the Odisha State Red Cross for its dedication to strengthening the YRC movement and fostering a culture of social responsibility. Concluding his address, he extended his best wishes to all awardees and organizers, hoping their recognition would inspire more youth to take up humanitarian service.
Honorary Secretary of the Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch, Ganesh Chandra Patra, delivered the welcome address, while Principal Secretary to the Governor, NBS Rajput, also spoke on the occasion. A total of 79 Youth Red Cross volunteers and 24 Junior Red Cross volunteers were honored with awards.
