GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th Sept. The National Disaster Management Authority celebrated its 19th Formation Day on Wednesday in New Delhi.
Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog was the Chief Guest of the program.
The theme of this year’s Formation Day was “A Vision for Disaster Mitigation”.
Kamal Kishore, Member & HOD of NDMA in his Welcome Address stated that the “NDMA has completed 18 years and entered into its 19th year of Formation. In the last 18 years, NDMA has achieved many milestones and has established itself as a mature organization, fully dedicated to making our country disaster-resilient.
He further added that “Since its formation, NDMA has been committed to enhancing our nation’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from various natural and manmade disasters.”
He also showed snapshots of the achievements of the NDMA in terms of the G-20 presidency and other initiatives taken by the NDMA for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Chief Guest at the event, the Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog Suman Bery extended his warm congratulations and best wishes to all members, Dignitaries, officials, and staff of NDMA.
He acknowledged NDMA’s pivotal role in strengthening disaster management in India over the past 18 years.
Shri Bery highlighted the dual perspective brought by this anniversary. It signified India’s capacity to respond effectively to disasters while reminding us of the ongoing need for improving our systems to minimize loss of lives & livelihoods and reduce economic impact of disasters.
To address these challenges, NDMA is engaged in development of policies, strategies and frameworks. NDMA is extensively involved in Capacity Building and Community Resilience.
He further added that “The 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations for allocating funds across all aspects of disaster risk management have been instrumental in this transformation.”
He highlighted NITI Aayog’s role in collaboration with States, Districts and now at block level, including its leadership at mainstreaming Aspirational Districts in India’ development trajectory.
He further emphasised that “Community resilience is essential; with efforts to strengthen disaster management planning at all levels. Disaster management and risk reduction should involve all levels of government and be embedded in all development sectors i.e. Health, Education, Water, Power, Urban Development”.
Shri Bery commended NDMA’s professionalism and effectiveness, citing initiatives like the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), and Aapda Mitra Scheme (AMS).
He also emphasized on international cooperation, through platforms such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the G20. He highlighted that India’s G20 presidency has created a Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group.
In his concluding speech, Bery highlighted the role of technology in Disaster Risk Reduction and Artificial Intelligence.
Following schemes-related documents and booklet launched/released on the occasion:
- i) A short video: Upscaling of Aapda Mitra Scheme
- ii) Aapda Mitra: Key Concept and Achievement – Booklet
- ii) NDMA Training Module on Psychosocial Issues
iii) NDMA Training Module on Hospital Disaster Management
- iv) Compendium of Traditional Earthquake Resilient Construction Practices.
This year as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an awareness campaign on Disaster Risk Reduction with various activities such as pledge taking, quiz, and poster-making competitions through Government of India’s digital platform, MyGov were initiated.
More than 20 thousand responses received for these activities. The winners’ names were also announced during the programme.
Rajendra Singh, Member, NDMA gave a Vote of thanks to all dignitaries, delegates, stakeholders and others.
The Technical Sessions consisted of experience sharing on ‘Landslide Risk Mitigation’ and ‘Role of Emerging Technologies in Disaster Management’.
Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala shared their best practices on ‘Landslide Risk Mitigation along with the panel discussion and also discussed Salient features of the National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme.
Thereafter, a panel discussion was held on ‘Role of Emerging Technologies in Disaster Management’ and experts from the Department of Telecommunications and other private IT organisations shared the latest technologies and tools that can be beneficial in Disaster management and saving lives.
This session was followed by a Valedictory Session which was chaired by Lt. Gen (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, Member, NDMA.
The programme was concluded with a vote of thanks given by Shri Alok, Additional Secretary, NDMA. He said that “In these 18 years of its establishment, NDMA has not only become capable to deal with disasters, it has capacitated the whole country as well.
In this program, more than 300 participants from the Central Government, State Governments, Union Territories Administrations, civil societies, academia and the private sector, Former Vice Chairman and Members of NDMA, Vice-Chairman and Members of SDMAs, Additional Chief Secretaries, Relief Commissioners of States/Union Territories, Senior Officers/Nodal Officers of the various ministries and departments of the Central Government and other stakeholders from all over the country attended the programme.
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