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Do not misuse Red Cross Society’s emblem, stress speakers

PUDUCHERRY: Speakers at the commemoration of Geneva Convention Day on Tuesday emphasised the importance of creating awareness among the public to stop the misuse of the Red Cross emblem.

The Puducherry Branch of the Indian Red Cross Society organised a programme to commemorate the Geneva Convention Day on the theme on “Stop Misuse of Red Cross Emblem.”

Addressing the gathering, Director of Health Dilip Kumar Baliga said the Red Cross emblem, which was a symbol of absolute neutrality, was used by doctors, pharmacy outlets and hospitals. At least one crore persons in the country were misusing the emblem, he added

“Over the years, the emblem has been associated as a health-related subject. It is important to make people aware that the emblem is not for commercial purposes. The importance and significance of the emblem should be explained to the public,” he said.

Dean of College Development Council of Pondicherry University Venguttaramane said the Red Cross Society strives to protect and assist the victims of armed conflicts or internal disturbances or violence. “The emblem is for protective purposes. It is a visible manifestation of protection and stands for both protective and indicative purposes,” he said.

According to him, the emblem can be misused in the following ways: imitation where the use of sign might cause confusion, using the shape and colour also accounts to misuse, use by bodies not entitled to do so including private doctors, non-governmental organisations and pharmacy and perfidious use of the emblem during wars.

“It is important to propagate the ideals of Red Cross and the symbol so that people will be aware. The use of emblem by unauthorised persons should be reported to the authorities. This should be inculcated in the students,” he said.

Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society, Puducherry branch H. Ranganath said the emblem should be exclusively used during war times. Specific emblems have been allotted to other fields such as doctors and pharmacists and the message should be propagated, he added.

Medical Superintendent of Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute V. Govindaraj, Treasurer of the society N. Govindasamy and Vice Chairman of the society A.S. Deivakunjari spoke.

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