Thousands throng civil defence drive in Chandigarh, job seekers among them
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Chandigarh: A call issued by the UT administration on Friday for civil defence enrolment drew an overwhelming response on Saturday, with over 3,000 people turning up at Tagore Theatre in Sector 18.
As the venue quickly exceeded capacity, the crowd spilled onto the roads, prompting police to intervene, call backup and use mild force to manage the situation. Unable to accommodate the rush, authorities opened a parallel site at Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17, where most were directed to continue registrations and orientation.The drive, led by the Chandigarh District Administration and supported by the
National Disaster Response Force
and Fire Department, aims to build a pool of trained civilian volunteers capable of assisting authorities during emergencies — including natural disasters, medical crises, public unrest and evacuation scenarios.
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The effort is meant to strengthen the city's preparedness by creating a reliable network of first responders who can offer immediate assistance before formal services arrive.The initiative gained unexpected traction after the UT Administration publicised the call for volunteers on Friday.
Tagore Theatre in Sector 18, the main venue, was soon overwhelmed by the sheer number of people trying to get in. Police struggled to maintain order, and additional personnel had to be deployed. Eventually, crowds were redirected to Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17, where orientation activities were expanded to accommodate the overflow.The situation turned tense at points, with shouting matches at entry gates and political student groups turning up with flags and slogans, adding to the charged atmosphere. However, once proceedings began, the tone grew more focused.At the heart of the event was an address by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, who invoked the legacy of India's civilian volunteers during the wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971. "They had no medals, but they had the heart of India beating inside them," he said, urging the youth to become defenders of the nation's spirit in everyday life. "Civil Defence is not just a service. It is an emotion — a vow to stand up when the motherland calls."At Tiranga Urban Park, hundreds took an oath under the tricolour, pledging to serve during emergencies. Officials began the first round of orientation, covering disaster response basics, CPR, evacuation drills and coordination during chaos. Further training will be conducted in batches in the coming days. "Discipline and readiness are crucial during emergencies. I joined this programme because I wanted to share my experience and also learn how civilian response mechanisms work," said Manoj, 49, who works for a private company.Mandip Singh Brar, home secretary, said the programme was voluntary and non-remunerative but critical for Chandigarh's disaster readiness. Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said the goal was to train 3,000 citizens as part of a long-term plan. "People's response has been extraordinary. The training will make Chandigarh more resilient," he said.BOX- Voices from the crowd"I am always moving around the city. If someone meets with an accident, people like me can be the first to help. That's why I joined."— Ravi, 28, delivery worker"This training will not only help me serve the community better but also make me more confident as an individual."— Diya, 20, sociology student, Panjab University"We see so many disasters on the news, but we never think we can do something about it. I came because I wanted to be ready — not helpless."— Sukhwinder Singh, 35, electrician"I brought my teenage son with me. I wanted him to see that standing up in difficult times is part of being a citizen."— Meenakshi Verma, 42, teacherBox: Came for jobsAmong the thousands who gathered in Chandigarh's heat, some came with hopes of more than just training. Jagjot Singh, who arrived from Amritsar, said, "They told us something big was happening, maybe a defence job. I brought all my certificates, just in case." Bakshish, 28, from Samrala, added, "I came here thinking it was some kind of government recruitment. Got here and realised it's not a job. Still, the training seemed practical, so I stayed." With inputs from Shivansh Bhan
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