22-07-2025
Indian Red Cross Society Centenary Building to be inaugurated in Mangaluru on July 26
The centenary building of the Indian Red Cross Society in Dakshina Kannada district will be inaugurated by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot here on July 26.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Indian Red Cross Society district unit chairman Shantaram Shetty said it was in 2007 that the then Deputy Commissioner allotted a site for the district unit, which used funds from the sale of blood, CSR funds and donations to construct the four-storey building on the site at a cost of ₹6 crore. The State Red Cross Society granted ₹40 lakh for the building, he said.
The ground floor will feature the district unit's office, a visitors' lounge, a VIP lounge, and a meeting hall. The first floor will have a 300-seater 'Prerana' AC auditorium, which will be used for holding functions, and, training and orientation sessions related to blood donation. The second floor will have a sea-view hall.
Mr. Shetty said space in the cellar of the building will be used to stock materials related to Disaster Management. The society has also planned to utilise the space for some of the district unit's upcoming signature projects.
Mr. Shetty said the Indian Red Cross blood bank has been offering blood to patients at the Government Lady Goschen Hospital free of cost. Inpatients of Government Wenlock Hospital get blood at a 50% concessional rate. It was proposed to offer blood free to patients from below the poverty line.
On July 26, a new app of the district unit will be launched, which will help needy contact blood donors at anytime, he said.