Theme of the Year: “Keeping Humanity Alive”
By Dr. Dinesh Gupta
The author is Patron, Indian Red Cross Society – Jammu & Kashmir
Each year, World Red Cross Day stands as a solemn tribute to the vision of Henry Dunant-the founding father of the Red Cross Movement-and the countless humanitarian workers who embody his ideals on the front lines of suffering. It is a day to reaffirm our collective duty to uphold the values of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and voluntary service, values that have guided the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for over a century.
But in Jammu & Kashmir, this occasion demands more than commemoration-it demands introspection, reform, and urgent action.
A Global Humanitarian Giant, A Local Crisis of Function
Across the globe, the Red Cross has stood as the world’s foremost humanitarian institution, delivering aid amidst war, natural disasters, and pandemics. In Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and earthquake-ravaged regions, Red Cross volunteers continue to risk their lives for those in peril. This is not merely charity-it is humanitarian diplomacy in action, backed by a moral mandate and international law.
And yet, in Jammu & Kashmir, the very architecture of this movement lies fractured. Despite being a border region with heightened humanitarian vulnerability, the Indian Red Cross Society in J&K remains dysfunctional, lacking both operational clarity and legitimacy.
No functioning committees. No community mobilisation. No crisis preparedness.
No accountability.
Worse still, the New Rules of the Indian Red Cross Society, passed by Parliament in 2017 and formally adopted by J&K on 27th May, 2022, remain unimplemented. Despite these reforms, aimed at democratising and strengthening the Red Cross across India, J&K continues to be run through outdated bureaucratic structures, where Deputy Commissioners function as de facto Presidents, bypassing elected Red Cross committees altogether.
This is not just a technical lapse-it is an institutional failure that puts lives at risk.
“Keeping Humanity Alive” – A Theme with Urgent Relevance
This year’s theme-“Keeping Humanity Alive”-could not be more timely or more necessary. As tensions escalate globally and the shadow of war looms over our borders, humanitarian readiness is not optional-it is essential.
In Jammu & Kashmir, a region fraught with border skirmishes, internal displacement, and limited civilian infrastructure, the Red Cross must not be reduced to a ceremonial presence. It must be a living, breathing force, ready to act when disaster strikes.
Humanitarianism is not for peaceful times alone. It is our shield in moments of greatest peril. And in these precarious times, we must rise to meet that call.
The Red Cross Must Be War-Ready and People-Centric
Given the geopolitical sensitivities of J&K, and the very real possibility of civilian fallout from armed conflict or unrest, the IRCS must function as a wartime humanitarian responder, not a passive institution. We must:
” Activate district-level Emergency Response Teams trained in first aid, trauma care, psychological support, and emergency communication.
” Stock essential supplies-tents, medicines, water purification units, emergency food kits-at strategic locations.
” Forge protocols with hospitals, civil defence, and disaster response forces to ensure seamless action in emergencies.
” Train and mobilise youth and local volunteers to carry forward the Red Cross mission into every village, every community.
This is no longer aspirational-it is a survival imperative.
The President of India is the President of Red Cross
Let us remind ourselves of the stature this institution holds:
” The President of India is the constitutional President of the Indian Red Cross Society.
” The Union Health Minister is the National Chairman of IRCS.
” The Governor or Lt. Governor of each State/UT is the President of the respective State/UT Red Cross.
Despite this high-level framework, Jammu & Kashmir continues to defy parliamentary mandates. The implementation of the 2017 Red Cross Rules-adopted over two years ago-remains stalled. This contradiction not only weakens the institution but undermines public trust in our humanitarian systems.
Reform. Rebuild. Reclaim.
We can no longer afford symbolic gestures. The time has come to transform the Red Cross in J&K from a dormant administrative adjunct to a dynamic, people-powered movement.
To that end, we demand:
” Immediate implementation of the 2017 Red Cross Rules, including transfer of charge to the lawfully elected District Red Cross Committees of Kathua, Jammu, and Reasi-without delay.
” Formation of inclusive, democratic Red Cross committees at all levels, with youth, women, civil society, health experts, and volunteers actively participating.
” Transparency and auditing of Red Cross funds, assets, and decisions, open to public scrutiny.
” A bottom-up volunteer mobilisation strategy, from villages to districts, to revive the soul of the Red Cross where it is needed most.
A New Humanitarian Compact for Jammu & Kashmir
The Red Cross must not be remembered only in history books or on ceremonial banners. It must live-in spirit and in action. In times of war, disaster, or displacement, the Red Cross must be the first to respond and the last to leave.
As World Red Cross Day dawns in 2025, let it not be just another event. Let it be a turning point-a renewal of our humanitarian compact with the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Let us reform what is broken,
Rebuild what is neglected,
And reclaim the humanitarian promise of the Red Cross-
For every citizen, in every crisis, at every hour.
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