Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, April 8: Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman, District Red Cross Branch, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, under the leadership of Mrs. Komal Mittal, organized a blood donation camp today on the occasion of World Red Cross Day in the district administrative complex in collaboration with Vishwas Foundation and Punjab National Bank, Sector-76, Mohali, during which 72 units of blood were collected in the camp.
Giving the above information, Assistant Commissioner (G)-cum-Unpaid Secretary Mrs. Ankita Kansal said that on this occasion Mr. Mandeep Singh, an employee of the Dairy Development Department, donated blood for the 49th time, while 6 women also donated blood in the camp.
He said that on this occasion Assistant Commissioner (J)-cum-Unpaid Secretary Smt. Ankita Kansal further said that World Red Cross Day is celebrated on May 8 every year. 
This day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of the founder of the Red Cross, Sir Jean Henry Dunant. Sir Jean Henry Dunant was born on May 8, 1828 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was awarded the world's first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 and founded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863. Later, a similar organization was formed in India in 1920, named Indian Red Cross Society. 
In the year 1859, a terrible battle took place in Solferino (Italy), in which more than 40 thousand soldiers were killed and millions were injured. Seeing the plight of the wounded soldiers, Henry Dunn was very saddened and he along with some people of the village helped those soldiers. Subsequently, in 1863, he formed a committee named the International Committee of the Red Cross. According to Secretary District Red Cross Society Harbans Singh, World Red Cross Day was celebrated for the first time in 1948, while officially it has been celebrated since 1984.
This year the theme of World Red Cross Day was 'Manawata ke paksha mein'. He said that this day was celebrated at various government schools, colleges and tehsil levels of the district. On the occasion of World Red Cross Day, the message was given to the children of different schools that we should sacrifice everything in times of crisis and always be dedicated to save the lives of all. Secretary Red Cross Society Harbans Singh further said that Red Cross Society always helps the poor and needy in every way following the path given by Bhai Ghanaiya ji.
He informed that on May 6, a camp was organized by District Red Cross Branch at Government High School Manakpur Sharif, SAS Nagar to create awareness about social problems like HIV/AIDS, drugs, feticide, tree plantation, environment, water conservation, first aid etc. District Red Cross Branch members and Vishwas Foundation team also participated in the blood donation camp. During the blood donation camp, the team of Civil Hospital Phase 6 collected blood donations.