375 volunteers get training in civil defence
Over the course of the initiative, a total of 375 volunteers were trained across three intensive batches.
The programme combined rigorous academic training with practical, real-world application. A UT spokesperson said, "A major highlight of this final batch was the volunteers' field visit to the Chandimandir Cantonment, where they participated in hands-on drills and exercises under the expert supervision of senior military officials."
These simulations replicated emergency scenarios such as natural disasters, fire incidents, and large-scale evacuations, equipping volunteers with the skills, confidence, and composure required to respond effectively in real crisis situations. The experience also instilled key values of discipline, precision, and collaboration essential for civil defence operations.
Before the field engagement, participants underwent training at MGSIPA.
Designed by domain experts, the training covered vital areas including disaster management protocols, emergency communication, first aid, and coordination with civic authorities. The programme was delivered through a blend of classroom sessions, interactive modules, and simulation-based learning, providing volunteers with a realistic and practical knowledge base.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said, "This initiative reflects the administration's enduring vision of a city that is not only governed efficiently but also empowered from within. In an era marked by evolving risks—climatic, urban, and social—it is imperative that governance embraces community resilience as its core. Through this programme, we are nurturing a new cadre of citizen-leaders—volunteers who are trained, tested, and ready to stand at the frontline in times of need.
They represent the best of Chandigarh's spirit: responsive, responsible, and resilient. Going forward, we aim to expand this model to every corner of the city, ensuring no neighbourhood is left unprepared."
MSID:: 122784136 413 |
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Portraits of India's freedom struggle lie framed in neglect
Lying forgotten in the basement of the TS Central State Library, Sector 17, the National Gallery of Portraits, a tribute to India's freedom struggle, is crying for attention. Despite free entry and its location in the heart of the city, the faded panels, defunct audio-visual equipment and peeling walls in the stuffy basement keep visitors away from the gallery, last renovated in 2007. (HT Photo) Opened in 1977, the gallery houses 41 panels of oil paintings and murals, and sculptures of national leaders, tracing the country's fight for independence from the 1700s to the 1900s. But today, it stands as a crumbling reflection of official apathy, passed on from department to department, yet left abandoned and deprived of even basic upkeep. As a result, despite its location in the heart of Chandigarh and free entry, the gallery barely draws visitors. On Saturday, operational between 10 am and 5 pm, the gallery saw only one visitor by 3 pm. The exhibits narrate India's freedom movement — from the first war of independence in 1857 and the Ghadar movement in the early 1900s, to the non-cooperation campaigns of 1920, the Quit India Movement in 1942, and the mutinies and massacres in Punjab at that time. The gallery was initially managed by the UT department of higher education before being transferred to the department of cultural affairs in 2007, when it was renovated and re-inaugurated by then UT administrator Gen SF Rodrigues (retd). Recently, the department of cultural affairs passed the baton back to the higher education department, but there has been no news of the gallery's revival. The appalling decay is felt the moment one steps in. A musty, stagnant smell in the basement welcomes visitors, exacerbated by the lack of air conditioning. On the left side of the entrance, an audio-visual corner has been lying defunct for more than a year. A sign still promises free guided tours at 11 am and 3 pm and movie screenings every Sunday, but none have been held in recent memory. Peeling walls in the gallery further paint a picture of neglect. Worse, every monsoon, the basement gets flooded with rainwater. Only recently did the engineering department install a pump to drain the water. A book shelf offering literature on the freedom movement was damaged due to dampness and recurring waterlogging, while the books fell prey to termite infestation. Staffing, too, has dwindled. Compared to 7-8 permanent employees, including a gallery in-charge, education officer, librarian, clerk, peon and watchman, the gallery now runs on just three contractual workers. No recruitments were done after the permanent staff retired. 'The cultural affairs department often left the maintenance to the library since the gallery lies within its premises,' said an official on condition of anonymity. Isha Kamboj, director of the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, declined to comment, stating the charge had been transferred. On the higher education department's part, Rubinderjit Singh Brar, director of higher education, said, 'Around two weeks ago, we received communication that the department of cultural affairs is handing over the gallery to higher education. We will look into it and take appropriate action.' Until then, the stories of freedom struggle will continue to fade quietly, unheard and unseen.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
CET to draw one lakh candidates to Chandigarh over weekend
The Haryana Staff Selection Commission's (HSSC) Common Eligibility Test (CET) will be held on July 26 and 27 at 153 centres across Chandigarh, with about one lakh candidates and their companions expected to arrive in the city over the weekend. Each day, the test will be conducted in two shifts — from 10 am to 11:45 am and 3:15 pm to 5 pm — with nearly 37,000 candidates appearing per shift. To ease travel, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) will operate around 350 shuttle buses linking all exam centres with the Exhibition Ground in Sector 34 and the Dussehra Ground in Sector 17. Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav reviewed arrangements with senior officials on Thursday, directing departments to coordinate to ensure a peaceful, transparent and hassle-free examination. 'It is the administration's responsibility to conduct the test smoothly. All departments must work together so that candidates do not face any inconvenience,' he said. To maintain the security and confidentiality of question papers, 39 special duty officers have been deployed, and the Chandigarh Police will sanitise all centres a day before the exam. A central control room will operate during the tests to handle any emergencies. The administration has also issued a helpdesk number, 0172-2700025, for candidates to report problems. Officials have been instructed to ensure availability of drinking water, electricity, medical aid and signage at all centres. Senior officers from education, health, police, transport and municipal departments participated in the review meeting.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Punjab: Gulab Chand Kataria hosts shabad kirtan to mark Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom anniversary
The Punjab Raj Bhavan Tuesday evening reverberated with devotional hymns as it commemorated the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, with a solemn shabad kirtan. Padma Shri Hazuri Ragi Bhai Harjinder Singh Ji Srinagar Wale, a renowned exponent of Gurbani Kirtan, led the recital at the Guru Nanak Dev Auditorium, filling the venue with spiritual resonance. His renditions paid tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur's supreme sacrifice and message of courage, truth, and selfless service. UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, accompanied by his wife Anita Kataria and family, joined the sangat in humble devotion. 'I consider myself the luckiest person who got the chance to perform sewa on this pious occasion,' he said. Deeply moved by the historic moment, he added, 'It is a moment of spiritual fulfilment in the best traditions of sarbat da bhala (welfare of all).' In keeping with the Sikh tradition of equality, the Administrator later participated in langar sewa, serving food alongside others. The Raj Bhavan premises were transformed into a sacred space, resonating with Waheguru Simran and the egalitarian ethos of Sikhism. On the occasion, Kataria unveiled 'Spiritual Journey of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib', a pictorial book authored by Punjab State Information Commissioner Harpreet Sandhu, to mark the martyrdom year. The Administrator also felicitated Bhai Harjinder Singh and his jatha, along with Granthi Singhs of Gurdwara Patshahi Dasvi, Sector 8, Chandigarh, who performed the sewa of Guru Granth Sahib and Palki Sahib. The event saw participation from Punjab Cabinet ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Sanjeev Arora, and Ravjot Singh; Punjab Chief Secretary K A P Sinha; UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma; Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar; Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla; UTCA president Sanjay Tandon; and senior civil and police officers of Punjab and Chandigarh. Families of Raj Bhavan staff were present as well.
