Rajnath announces Disaster Response Medal

The Minister witnessed the demonstration made by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the India International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan, here on Tuesday.

 

The Minister mentioned that the NDRF and the NDMA are the nodal agencies of the Government and their contribution in checking the manmade and natural disasters is commendable. 

 

He also applauded the NDRF for their commendable role towards making India a “Disaster Resilient” Nation. 

 

The NDRF is a specialized multi skilled, humanitarian force of the country to provide immediate response in the event of disasters. 

 

The NDRF came into existence on January 19, 2006 and since its inception, it has been playing vital role in Disaster Management and Community Awareness for disaster risk reduction in the country. 

 

It has proved its mettle in the field of disaster rescue and relief operations. Apart from rescue operations, NDRF is also proactively involved in community capacity building for disaster response and imparting training to State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). 

 

The NDRF along with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has organised an Exhibition at Hall No.12 in Pragati Maidan to showcase disaster management in India and various latest rescue and recovery equipment being used in various rescue operations by NDRF. 

 

O.P. Singh, Director General, NDRF welcomed the forum and highlighted the role of NDRF in making India disaster resilient and gave insight of important operations conducted by the Force during this year. R.K. Jain Secretary, NDMA also spoke on the occasion. 

 

During current year, NDRF responded to the fury of flood in Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Odisha, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir building collapse incidents in Pune (MH), Chennai(TN), Ernakulam (Kerala) and Gorakhpur (UP), train accidents in Chapra (Bihar), Sant Kabirnagar (UP), Morigaon (Assam) and Thane (MH), landslide operations in Pune (MH), Kamrup (Assam) and Ramthong (Assam) besides, provided coverage in mass gathering events like Amarnath Ji Yatra, Ganga Snan festival at Varansshi, Chhat Puja and other happenings and saved more than 1,09,700 live. 

 

So far, NDRF has saved more than 4,21,885 persons and retrieved more than 1924 bodies in various recuse and relief operations across the country. To uphold its motto “Aapda Sewa Sadaiv” the brave rescuers of this unique humanitarian force are always ready to serve Society and Nation. 

 

The demonstration was also attended by P.K Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the former Prime Minister Rajiv, Central Vigilance Commissioner, Directors General of Para Military Forces and Senior officers of the NDMA and the MHA.