The students of Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amritapuri, participated in an awareness and training program conducted by the District Disaster Management Force headed by the honorable District Collector, Dr. S. Karthikeyan, on February 21, 2018. The program is in conjugation with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), which is a specialised force constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Apex Body for Disaster Management in India is the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The Chairman of the NDMA is the Prime Minister. NDMA is governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The team that conducted the workshop consisted of a dozen well trained NDRF men. The training program kicked off with the captain’s general introduction about NDRF and also his ideas on the importance of disaster management especially in Amritapuri, which is in proximity to the coastal line. He further went on to explain the need for the establishment of such a task force, as India had faced severe casualties in all calamities prior to the establishment of NDRF.

What followed was a brief hands-on training of the various protocols and procedures that need to be followed when faced with the task of rescuing the victims of various kinds of disasters. Students were asked to volunteer on the stage to explain the simplicity and need for following the mandatory rescue measures. The students actively participated in the workshop and were thrilled with the experience.

Later, soldiers explained the need of first aid in the process of rescue operations. Students were taught the procedure of performing a proper Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

The training also included classes on the various forms of knots and also various instruments that could be handmade that are crucial in the rescue programs.

The students applauded the soldiers for their commitment and dedication to the well-being of the citizens of our country in terms of disaster management. All the students also expressed the need for further classes to be conducted, not only on disaster management, but also on various life skills that will be helpful to the students in their life.