Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lovely Professional University (LPU) on 4th September 2018, where both partners will look forward to multiple areas of collaboration. From now onwards, both the institutions will work within the mandates of each organization and adhere to the board principles of humanitarian action as followed by the Red Cross Movement worldwide. These actions include Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality.
Humanitarian organization IRCS, established nearly hundred years ago by the Parliament, is the largest statutory humanitarian organization with a network of more than 700 branches at State/UT, District & Sub-district levels. Its large number of volunteers’ network is spread throughout the country, where each branch is administratively and financially independent.
Those present at the MoU signing ceremony from IRCS included Vice Chairman Shri Avinash Rai Khanna, Joint Secretary Dr Veer Bhushan and Secretary of the State Red Cross Society, IAS (Retd) Mr CS Talwar. From LPU, Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal; Pro-Chancellor Mrs Rashmi Mittal; and, Registrar Dr Monica Gulati witnessed the signing ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Khanna appreciated the large number of students studying at LPU and described it as a great strength for Red Cross networking. He shared that humanity is best served if the youth of the country stands committed for service to the society. From now onwards, LPU and IRCS will draw upon the strengths of each other. Chancellor, Mr Mittal expressed his happiness with this collaboration. Describing the concept of Red Cross, Dr Veerbhan desired to start a course at LPU on first-aid and disaster management for helping the society.
Illustrative, focused areas of collaboration will be disaster risk reduction, mitigation, and preparedness; water sanitation and hygiene promotion; climate change adaption; environment management and restoration; ecosystem-based livelihood support; health and blood services; jointly designing and offering certification, educational programmes in the above and related areas; and, any other area of mutual understanding.