Amid rumours that the seven-and-a-half acres of land where the Red Cross Home in the city is situated may be sold to a private builder, the Indian Red Cross Society has set up a committee to develop the land.
Seeking to put an end to the rumours, the society has put up a board on the land, stating that the site belongs to it and trespassers would be prosecuted.
The Red Cross Home used to cater to as many as 75 soldiers who were critically injured in the World War II. It was the only place in the country to accommodate the disabled soldiers. There are only four inmates left. Dr NG Narayana, medical superintendent, Red Cross Home, said two inmates have been accommodated on humanitarian grounds.
The plight
With the number of inmates coming down to single digit, the defence ministry, which used to provide financial assistance of Rs8 lakh every year for taking care of the inmates, stopped giving the grant two years ago. Dr Narayana said Rs25 lakh are required every year to maintain the place.
With the number of inmates dwindling, most of the building has become redundant. A portion of the premises is being used to park the two-wheelers of Madras Engineering Group personnel.
Confirming the efforts to prepare a plan to develop the Red Cross Home, NK Singh, director (dissemination), Indian Red Cross Society, said a meeting was held in New Delhi recently to discuss the development of the Red Cross Home in Bangalore.
KR Dharmappa, general secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Karnataka, said a meeting was held in Bangalore too to discuss the condition of the Red Cross Home. He said various options were discussed, including constructing a multi-specialty hospital and a home for senior ex-servicemen who have none to look after them. Nothing was finalised though, he added.
Funds needed
Meanwhile, Manish Chaudhary, deputy secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, said the need of the hour was to generate funds to maintain the Red Cross Home in Bangalore. He said the Union minister for health and family welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is also the chairman of Indian Red Cross Society, had set up a committee to make a plan on how to make optimum utilisation of Red Cross Home premises in Bangalore.
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