Puri: The Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch, on Saturday opened a social service camp in Puri.
Inaugurating the camp, School and Mass Education Minister and Junior Red Cross working committee chairman Badri Narayan Patra suggested that the volunteers work in a collective manner for smooth management of First-Aid Camps and Grand Road Cleaning programmes here.
Speaking on the occasion, Higher Education Minister and Youth Red Cross working committee chairman Ananta Das highlighted the importance of Red Cross and its volunteers during Rath Yatra.
Honorary Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society’s Odisha State Branch, Dr. Gyanbrata Mohanty extended the welcome address and spoke on the activities to be undertaken during the camp.
On June 25, the volunteers will render stretcher services near the cordon area. Water sprayer units would be in position to provide pilgrims relief from intense heat and humidity. Besides, two ambulances would be stationed at the Grand Road for emergency services. An emergency health centre will operate at Utkal Hindi Vidyapitha with temporary hospital and doctors, 10 First-Aid Centres and a Stroke Management Center will be made functional.
After the departure of chariots to Gundicha Temple, the volunteers would undertake the noble endeavor of Bada Danda cleaning programme.
Approximately 300 Youth Red Cross volunteers and counsellors would join the camp to render healthcare services to the people during Rath Yatra, a Red Cross member informed.