❝

A young prospective business tycoon left Geneva, Switzerland to reach Italy for a business contract in the year 1859. On his way to petition Napoleon III witnessed the aftermath of the battle of Solferino in northern Italy.

A huge death about 40,000 and unattended Injured soldiers' hue and cry changed his mind to stop there to serve the ailing Injured battle sufferers. Back to Geneva he described his painful experience in a book "A Memory of Solferino".

In the year 1863 on 9th February International Red Cross Society was founded as the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and later in 1919 on 5th May International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC).

ICRC - Its mission is to protect the life and dignity of victims of armed conflict and violence and to provide assistance to them.

IFRC - It coordinates International disaster relief efforts and work and to improve disaster preparedness.

The founder members are:
1. Jean Henry Dunant
2. Gustave Moynier
3. Theodore Maunoir
4. Guillaume Henri Dufour
5. Louis Appia

Jean Henry Dunant is the man who started such work primarily; World Red Cross day is observed on 8th May, each year, the birth day of Dunant. Dunant won the Nobel prize in 1901.

The Red Cross and Red crescent movement spreads in 191 countries and the organisation acts in each country as ancillaries to the government in humanitarian works and programmes.

Indian Red Cross started its journey on 7th June 1920, when out of 50 nominated members in the committee Sir Malcolm Hailey was elected Chairman. Sir Claude Hill, a member of the Viceroy's executive council, introduced the bill to create the society.

There are seven fundamental principles: Humanity, impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary services, utility and Universality. Midnapore Red Cross started in 1945 when the district was undivided. The head office of IRCS of undivided Midnapore is now the Head office of Paschim Medinipur.

— Dr. Golok Bihari Maji