Under PM Modi’s plan, 4310 youths from Uttarakhand will become disaster friends, including scouts, NCC, NSS and other youth will be part of the scheme.

Under the Yuva Aapda Mitra Yojana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious plan to train 4,310 youth in Uttarakhand as Yuva Aapda Mitra was launched on Friday. Under the scheme, volunteers from the NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra, and Bharat Scouts and Guides will be provided disaster management training.

A seven-day training program for 50 NCC cadets began on Friday at Gurukul Kangri University in Haridwar. The camp was inaugurated by Brigadier Prabhat Bhandari, Group Commander, NCC, Roorkee.

Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, stated that the Yuva Aapda Mitra Yojana has been implemented in 11 hilly districts of Uttarakhand. Under the scheme, 1,700 NCC volunteers, 910 Bharat Scouts and Guides volunteers, and 850 NSS and Nehru Yuva Kendra volunteers are to be trained. He stated that the Yuva Aapda Mitra Yojana is a visionary initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower and train the youth of Uttarakhand in the field of disaster management. This scheme will not only strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness but will also foster a new culture of awareness and preparedness in society.

Uttarakhand is a geographically sensitive state, where disasters like earthquakes, landslides, cloudbursts, and forest fires periodically pose challenges. Therefore, if trained and dedicated young disaster friends are available in every village and neighborhood, the impact of disasters can be significantly reduced. This scheme will not only train the youth but also inspire them to foster social responsibility, a spirit of service, and leadership qualities.

Addressing the cadets at the training camp, Brigadier Prabhat Bhandari said that the NCC has always been at the forefront of nation-building, and through this training, our cadets will become skilled volunteers who will be first responders during disasters. This seven-day training will not only provide technical skills to our cadets but will also strengthen their sense of service to humanity.

During this training, District Disaster Management Officer Mrs. Meera Rawat provided detailed information to the volunteers about disaster management. He explained the Disaster Management Act and the role of Disaster Mitras. Master Trainer Manoj Kandyal provided information on pre-disaster preparedness in the second session of the training. Colonel Gaurav Prasad Naugai was present during the session.

Information will be provided on every aspect of disaster management

Volunteers will be trained in pre-disaster preparedness, earthquake, flood, landslide, drought, and heat wave protection, as well as search and rescue, lifting, community-based health and first aid, life support, and how to respond during chemical, biological, and radiological emergencies. They will also be provided with information about how the Disaster Management Department works during disasters.

ER kits will be provided, and insurance will also be available

Volunteers will be provided with emergency response kits and insurance. Additional Chief Executive Officer (Administration) Anand Swaroop stated that all volunteers will receive emergency emergency kits, which include 15 pieces of equipment, including a first aid kit, gum boots, safety goggles, a safety helmet, a multi-purpose rope, a trek suit, protective gloves, and a personal flotation device. All volunteers will also be insured for three years for a fee of five lakh rupees. He added that a disaster management handbook is also being provided.