A noble step towards Humanity !

XIMB celebrates World Humanitarian Day
August 19th, 2012

 

The fifth International World Humanitarian Day was observed on 19th August at Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), in collaboration with Concern Worldwide India, for paying tribute to the men and women who work to save the lives and protect the health of people affected by emergencies caused by conflict or natural disasters. XIMB has long been associated with humanitarian work in Orissa and has championed the cause of the community by providing institutional solutions to societal issues. The Social Responsibility Cell (SRC) of the institute, which organized the event, also conducts other social initiatives all year round, including a Blood Donation Camp in association with Rotary Club, Bhubaneswar and the Red Cross Society, a Baal Mela for local school dropouts and tree plantation drives around Bhubaneswar.

                               

The event started with a street play organized by the students of SRC “Manavta ki pukaar” (meaning the ‘call of humanity’). The evening was initiated by the ceremonial lightning of the lamp and welcome note by Fr. P.T. Joseph, S.J., Director XIMB. It also witnessed dignitaries from the length and breadth of the country who gave their insights on the Humanitarian Day, including Mr. Mihir Bhatt, All India Institute of Disaster Mitigation; Mr. Ambika Nanda, of the United Nations Development Program; Dr. Mangala Prasad Mohanty, Honorary Secretary Indian Red Cross Society, Orissa State; Mr Chiranjeet Das, Concern Worldwide India; Dr Asha Hans, EVP, Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre; and Mr. Deepankar Dutta, Country Director Concern International.

 

 

 

 

 Following the lighting of the lamp, Mr Dipankar Dutta spoke about the significance of the World Humanitarian Day, bringing to notice the facts and figures related to disaster mitigation. Dr Mangala Prasad Mohanty contextualized the International events and movements that have gained momentum in the present scenario. Mr Ambika Nanda from UNDP also shared his thoughts from his volunteering experiences that brought tears to the eyes of the audience. He and Dr Asha Hans spoke about the voices of the sub-altern or the marginalized. This re-emphasized the need to develop basic facilities and equipment so that the physically disabled are able to deal and survive calamities, as they are generally the worst hit victims. Mr Mihir Bhatt spoke of the need to systemize the humanitarian space in India. The fact that we have no fact-based report about a single disaster management program was shocking.

 

 

These thoughts lingered in our minds and made us truly realize the gravity of the situation. Many of us want to help the cause, but hardly any of us know the correct measures that should be followed to provide effective relief. Hence, it is the need of the hour to promote disaster management education on an international level. Mr Nanda rightly said, “when you are old, you can afford to work for the people; but when you are young, you have to work with them.” It shall be also be our initiative from now on to make our thought process more inclusive and keep in mind the problems faced by weaker sections of community.

                                             

 

It is a wonder how this day was blessed with bright sunshine though Bhubaneswar is in the midst of its monsoons. Perhaps this was symbolic of the ray of hope and energy this day brought not just in our campus but throughout the world…throughout humanity !