Kozhikode Red Cross joyous as they win state award

It was a remarkable day for the guardian angels of health, service and friendship, who gathered under a single roof to cheer one another on winning the state award for the best district Junior Red Cross team. Over 500 JRC members flocked to the Tagore Hall in the city on Saturday to share their delight in the feat for which they had been toiling for years.This group unique movement in schools has been reaching out to the destitute, juveniles and the aged to address their needs. Offering waterbed to patients suffering from incurable diseases and food and clothing to members of old-age homes and orphanages, children of upper primary classes and high schools have been proving their social responsibility and commitment towards their fellow beings since they became part of the movement.

"Once we are informed of the needs of an ailing patient from an economically backward family, our children start collecting money from their parents, teachers and neighbours to provide the needy essential medicine and food," says K K Rajendrakumar, district secretary of JRC.The student members of JRC also serve society by collecting plastic bags and other waste articles on the roadside and hospital premises. Providing medical assistance to their own schoolmates responsibly, many of the members have been proving themselves to be responsible citizensmodel to the society.

O V Muhseena, a Standard VIII student of BEM Girls High School, Kozhikode, does not hide her joy of serving society. "Plastic is banned in our school, and we collect plastic bags if some of our friends leave them in the compound or garden," she says in exultation.The teachers and counsellors are also excited about the work of their junior cadets. Says Vasudevan, a teacher of Kunnamangalam Higher Secondary School and sub district president of JRC..: "My students frequently visit the children's home run by the social welfare department." He adds that they distribute clothes and books to juveniles and present dance and songs for them by participating in the programme.Agents of international friendship, the The younger ones in schools are also keen to be part of JRC. A C Amana Farhath, a Standard VIII student of the city school, is of the view that "group works and social interventions help youngsters to mould their character to become good citizens" of the future.