Mangaluru– The Dakshina Kannada chapter of the Indian Red Cross Society will unveil its state-of-the-art Centenary Building on July 26 at the former DC office grounds in Mangaluru. This four-storey facility, built at a cost of ₹6 crore, symbolizes the society’s remarkable journey from a single-room operation to a fully-fledged humanitarian centre.
The inauguration will be graced by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who will lead the ceremony. Key figures including Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, and Nitte University Chancellor N. Vinaya Hegde will also be present.
Spanning 20,000 sq ft, the building hosts administrative departments, visitor services, and two spacious conference halls: the 300-seat ‘Prerana’ and the 500-seat ‘Sea View’. The construction was made possible through generous contributions from both public and private donors.
Chairman Dr. C.A. Shantharam Shetty highlighted that the new facility will greatly enhance the Red Cross’s capacity in disaster relief, healthcare outreach, and skill development programmes. The district unit has played a vital role in public service, especially through its Red Cross Blood Bank at Lady Goschen Hospital, which offers around 500 free units of blood monthly—primarily to pregnant women and critical patients—and has won several state accolades.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the unit significantly contributed by distributing vaccines and essential supplies to thousands in need.