Training prog for civil defence volunteers kicks off in UT
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Chandigarh: Punjab Governor and Union Territory Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria formally inaugurated the Civil Defence Volunteer Training Programme at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) on Saturday.
The inauguration also marked the beginning of the programme's first batch of volunteers.
Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav welcomed the volunteers with a heartfelt address, assuring full support from the Chandigarh administration. He reflected on the overwhelming public response to the initiative launched post Operation Sindoor, where a modest registration camp at Tagore Theatre on May 10 drew an unexpected crowd of over 5,000 citizens, far surpassing the anticipated 800.
This surge of civic enthusiasm led to the selection of 1,600 volunteers from a pool of 7,300 registrants for the first phase of training. These volunteers will be trained in four batches of 400, undergoing a six-day intensive programme that includes sessions at MGSIPA, the fire department, Western Command Army, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Looking ahead, a valedictory ceremony in mid-July will celebrate the volunteers' commitment, where they will receive certificates, uniforms, and ID cards.
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The city's civil defence structure will be organized into a pyramid command system, ensuring efficient localised disaster management. At the top will be the chief controller, followed by chief wardens, deputy chief wardens, post wardens, sector wardens, and finally the wardens, who will directly oversee the volunteers.
Home secretary Mandip Brar emphasized the importance of proactive preparedness, saying, "What truly defines a city is not just how it responds to a disaster, but how prepared it is before the disaster strikes."
Kataria urged citizens to embrace the spirit of responsibility, resilience, and readiness, encouraging enthusiastic participation and execution of duties when needed. Volunteers took a solemn pledge, echoing the civil defence motto: "Working for the benefit of all."
Among the many inspired citizens is Monika Thakur, a resident of Sector 20, who discovered the programme through Instagram. Driven by a sense of duty, she stepped forward to contribute to the safety and security of her city.
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