Red Cross to the rescue of the disabled

The Indian Red Cross Society, is the organisation the common man remembers first when he is in the need of blood. The Red Cross has proven again that it is not just a blood bank, but a service organisation. The numerous volunteers from Indian Red Cross Society were of help to the old and disabled in the ongoing Krishna pushkarams at Amaravati.

Though the organisation provides disaster relief and rehabilitation services, the Indian Red Cross Society is popularly known for its blood bank operations. The organisation has a vast volunteer base, ready to travel extensively just to see smile on the face of a needy person. In the Krishna pushkarams, there are about 500 Red Cross volunteers are working in shifts to facilitate the old aged and disabled persons by helping them to reach the ghats on wheel chairs and take a darshan of lord Amareswara.

The volunteers, most of whom are degree students, say that working as a volunteer is satisfactory to the mind and gives a kick to the heart. Hari, a degree student from Harshini Degree College in Ongole said, “About 70 volunteers came from our college. We work in three shifts at the ghats, control room, main temple entrance, pushkar nagars.

My team is assigned to transport old and disabled from the approach road to the pushkar ghat, about 1km distance, in the wheel chair. My point has 10 wheel chairs and on average each chair will be used to transport 30 pilgrims in a shift. I am happy to be involved in this type of social service activity as it helps me control my rage, keep smiling always and to maintain a positive approach to life.”

Lakshmi Nanda Kumar from Kavali said, “We are a 12 member team from Nellore district. We are here for not only wheel chair service, but also for crowd management, first aid, emergency lift, sanitation, mike announcements and tracing of victims. Our Kavali team has worked also in the Godavari pushkarams last year and saved six people in the unexpected stampede. Working in the Red Cross gives us a positive perspective and helps us learn about the true meaning of happiness.”

Gnaneswar from Visakhapatnam said, “I am very happy to be working here as a volunteer. I am thrilled to see the regard in their eyes and I get my energy from the whole hearted gratitude of the disabled. I will continue to be part of these social service camps and serve the people for my own happiness.”

Koteswaramma, mother-in-law of Siva Nagendram, a ward member in Narukullapadu in Guntur district said, “Though I can’t walk for a few yards, I boarded the free bus to Amaravati on Friday morning and reached the main center alone. The Red Cross volunteer came to the rescue with the wheel chair and brought me to the ghats.

These boys promised to help me all the way to the temple after my bath and they saw to it that I board the free bus after completing the meal in pushkar nagar. I am very pleased with their service and the arrangements made by the officials for the pilgrims. May god bless them.”