Schools, colleges conduct civic defence mock drills, students told about blackout
Patna: Educational institutions across the city carried out mock drills as part of the civil defence exercise on Wednesday and sensitised the students about the blackout that took place in the evening.
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They told the students about the importance of such exercises for meeting emergency situations like air raids, blackouts and evacuations, if they arise.
The
National Service Scheme
(NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) units of different colleges organised special sessions to motivate their cadets to participate in the programmes in large number and guide their juniors in observing the same.
Patna University NSS chief coordinator Suheli Mehta said all volunteers were instructed to participate in the mock drill at 6.58pm and observe blackout for 10 minutes.
Anil Kumar, dean, students' welfare, said that the superintendents of all hostels were directed to ensure that all boarders participate in the mock drills and observe the complete blackout.
Patna University Students' Union office-bearers, led by president Maithili Mrinalini, moved from college to college on Wednesday and appealed to the students to participate in the mock drill exercises faithfully in the best interest of the country.
They also told the students about the importance of such exercises. Students, in turn, showed their enthusiasm, especially in the light of "Operation Sindoor".
Meanwhile, all govt and private schools of the city, during their morning prayer assemblies, told the children about the various civil defence measures to be observed in critical situations like war. The school authorities motivated the children to participate in the mock drill and observe blackout in the evening.
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"We were given various safety tips for meeting war-like situation," said a student of a reputed missionary school. The students were told that blackout is traditionally used during enemy air strikes to reduce visibility, thereby limiting potential casualties and infrastructure damage.
In some schools, mock drills were conducted to familiarise the children with such exercises. They were asked to locate the nearest shelter and keep an emergency kit ready.
They were instructed to switch off all the lights of their houses and refrain themselves from using cellphones during blackout.
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