Red Cross organises awareness and practical training programmes for students, staff and railway employees to strengthen emergency response skills
KURUKSHETRA | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
The District Red Cross Society, Kurukshetra, organised a series of awareness and training programmes on September 12, 2026, to mark World First Aid Day, focusing on the importance of immediate medical assistance during emergencies and disasters.
The programmes were organised under the direction of Ankush Miglani, Vice-President of the Indian Red Cross Society, Haryana State Branch, Chandigarh, and General Secretary Dr Sunil Kumar, with guidance from District Red Cross Society president and Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena.
District Red Cross Society Secretary Ramesh Chaudhary said World First Aid Day is observed every year on the second Saturday of September. The observance was initiated in 2000 by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to increase public awareness about the importance of first aid and encourage people to acquire basic skills that can help save lives during emergencies.
A specific theme is highlighted each year to strengthen awareness around first aid and its relevance in different circumstances. In 2026, the focus is on first aid in the context of migration, drawing attention to the importance of emergency assistance and preparedness for people who may face vulnerable situations while moving from one place to another.
Chaudhary said the fundamental objective of World First Aid Day was to make people aware of the importance of providing immediate assistance during emergencies and equip them with basic knowledge that can potentially save lives before professional medical help becomes available.
The main programme was organised at Kurukshetra University, where Lieutenant Professor Virendra Pal attended as the chief guest. Dr A.R. Chaudhary, Dean of Student Welfare, and Dr Dinesh Rana, Programme Coordinator, Youth Red Cross, also shared their views on the significance of first aid and emergency preparedness.
Red Cross Secretary Ramesh Chaudhary and District Training Officer Anju Kashyap conducted awareness sessions for students, teachers and staff on different aspects of first aid. Participants were informed about appropriate responses during emergencies and disasters, with emphasis on the importance of providing timely assistance while ensuring personal safety.
The sessions were designed to give participants practical awareness rather than limiting the programme to theoretical information. The Red Cross team explained how basic first aid knowledge can help individuals respond more effectively until trained medical personnel arrive.
A separate programme was organised at Maharishi Dayanand College, Kurukshetra, where lecturer Kiran Kashyap provided students and staff with practical information about the importance of first aid. Participants were familiarised with basic emergency-response measures and the role of first aid in protecting life during critical situations.
Students undergoing training at the Red Cross Bhawan in Kurukshetra were also sensitised to the importance of first aid and emergency preparedness. The sessions encouraged trainees to develop the confidence and basic skills required to respond responsibly when confronted with accidents, injuries or other emergencies.
As part of the awareness campaign, a programme was also organised at Bhagwan Parshuram College, Kurukshetra, on September 10. Lecturer Gurpreet Singh conducted an awareness session for students and staff, explaining the importance of first aid and the need for timely assistance during emergencies.
The Red Cross also extended its training activities to the railway sector. On September 11, lecturer Kiran Kashyap conducted a practical first aid training session for approximately 50 employees of Northern Railway’s Ambala Division at Kurukshetra railway station.
The railway employees were trained in several important areas of emergency response, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), management of bleeding and first aid for burns. The practical orientation was intended to help participants respond appropriately to medical emergencies that may occur at railway stations or during their duties.
The Red Cross stressed that knowledge of CPR and basic first aid can be particularly valuable in situations where professional medical assistance may take time to arrive. Participants were encouraged to remain calm, assess emergencies responsibly and provide appropriate immediate assistance within the limits of their training.
Another important component of the World First Aid Day activities was a mock drill on disaster management. At the Red Cross Bhawan, around 60 students undergoing professional first aid training participated in a practical mock drill exercise.
The exercise was conducted to provide trainees with experience of responding to simulated emergency situations. Such drills help participants understand the importance of coordination, quick decision-making and systematic response during disasters.
The mock drill also reinforced the concept that emergency preparedness requires more than theoretical knowledge. Regular practical exercises can help individuals understand their responsibilities and develop confidence in handling situations involving injuries, evacuation or other emergency requirements.
The District Red Cross Society said the series of programmes was aimed at taking first aid awareness beyond a single-day observance and encouraging students, employees, teachers and members of the wider community to develop basic emergency-response skills.
The organisation’s activities also highlighted the wider humanitarian role of first aid. Immediate assistance can be critical in accidents, natural disasters, public emergencies and other situations where professional healthcare may not be immediately accessible.
Through awareness sessions, practical demonstrations, railway employee training and mock drills, the Red Cross sought to create a broader culture of preparedness in the district.
Officials emphasised that first aid should be understood as a basic life-saving skill rather than merely a medical procedure. Appropriate and timely action can help stabilise an injured or ill person until professional medical assistance becomes available.
The World First Aid Day programmes also provided an opportunity to involve young people in emergency preparedness. Students participating in the various activities were encouraged to develop awareness and practical skills that could be useful both within educational institutions and in the community.
The Red Cross said that greater public knowledge of first aid could strengthen community resilience by enabling trained individuals to respond more effectively during emergencies. Schools, colleges, workplaces and public institutions can all play an important role in spreading such awareness.
The district-level observance brought together representatives of the Red Cross, educational institutions, railway employees, students, teaching staff and other participants.
The programmes were attended by lecturer Kiran Kashyap, lecturer Vikram Singh, Papinder Singh, first aid lecturers, teaching and non-teaching staff and students, among others.
The District Red Cross Society said awareness and training activities would continue to encourage people to acquire first aid skills and understand their role in emergency response. The emphasis remained on practical knowledge, timely action and responsible assistance.
The World First Aid Day observance in Kurukshetra thus combined awareness programmes with hands-on training, including CPR, bleeding and burn management, practical demonstrations and disaster management drills. The initiative sought to strengthen the ability of students, employees and community members to respond safely and effectively when confronted with emergencies.
By taking first aid education to universities, colleges, railway employees and Red Cross trainees, the society aimed to build a wider network of people equipped with basic emergency-response knowledge and reinforce the message that timely first aid can make a crucial difference in protecting lives.
POD/DESK
