 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 20: World Humanitarian Day was celebrated with great zeal and solemnity by the Senior Citizens Joy Society (SCJS) under the guidance of Dr. Shreyansh Kumar Jain, State Yoga Commissioner and Chairman, SCJS. The programme was presided over by Ashok Kumar Gupta, President of the Society.
The event began with a warm welcome address by Ashok Khajuria, Secretary, SCJS, who highlighted the essence of the day. This was followed by insightful reflections shared by distinguished members H. C. Vaid, B. B. Sharma, Rakesh Mishra, and Kulbir Khajuria, all of whom emphasized the need to practice compassion and kindness in our daily lives.
A touching highlight of the gathering was a soulful poem recited by Ashok Kumar Gupta, which beautifully captured the spirit of humanity and left the audience deeply moved.
In his keynote address, Dr. Jain delivered a comprehensive lecture on the history, significance, and relevance of World Humanitarian Day. He explained that the United Nations General Assembly established the day in 2009 to honor the memory of the 22 humanitarian workers, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, who lost their lives in the tragic 19th August 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. The day serves not only to commemorate their sacrifice but also to recognize the tireless efforts of humanitarian workers worldwide and inspire society to uphold the values of kindness, empathy, and solidarity.
Dr. Jain further explained the purpose of World Humanitarian Day as threefold:
To honor humanitarian workers who dedicate their lives to the service of others.
To raise awareness about people in need across the globe-victims of disaster, poverty, and conflict.
To inspire action and spread humanitarian values in everyday life.
He also stressed that humanitarianism is not confined to international organizations-it begins with individuals. Small yet meaningful acts, such as helping an elderly neighbor, feeding the hungry, volunteering for social causes, promoting equality, spreading awareness, and living sustainably, all contribute towards building a compassionate and humane society.
The programme concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Khajuria, followed by the collective singing of the National Anthem.
The celebration of World Humanitarian Day by SCJS not only paid homage to the brave hearts who dedicated their lives to humanitarian service but also served as a call to action-reminding everyone that the true essence of humanity lies in compassion, selflessness, and solidarity. |
