It is important to carry out one selfless act each day in favour of the vulnerable in society. This was the charge given by Shri JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chairperson of the IRCS, as part of his encouraging and inspiring message to the Red Cross Movement on World Red Cross Day. The message was read on his behalf by the Acting Secretary-General of the Indian Red Cross Society, Dr Veer Bhushan.

This year’s World Red Cross Day was jointly celebrated by the ICRC, the Indian Red Cross Society and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in New Delhi on May 8, 2016.

Joining Dr Bhushan at the event were Head of the Country Cluster, South Asia for the IFRC, Mr Leon Prop, and Ms Mary Werntz, Head of the ICRC New Delhi regional delegation. They acknowledged the critical contribution to humanity made by the Red Cross volunteers and staff across the world. They recognized the achievements of the volunteers and staff who work tirelessly in the face of multiple challenges in diverse contexts.

Shri Nadda, in his statement, further affirmed that “Henry Dunant’s idea of voluntary, impartial and humanitarian service to victims of war has been immortalized in the formation of the Red Cross Movement. It is the selfless service of the Red Cross volunteers that we celebrate when we observe his birthday every 8th of May.”

Photos below capture the lively interaction between guests at the event (©ICRC, Daljeet Singh):