Kharar, August 3:- With an objective to develop a trained pool of youth volunteers capable of assisting communities during disasters and emergencies, a seven-day Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS) Training Programme commenced today at Government Polytechnic College, Khunimajra. The programme has brought together National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers from various colleges across Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district to undergo intensive training in disaster preparedness, emergency response and community resilience.
The training programme is sponsored by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, and the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Government of Punjab, and is being organised by the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Government of Punjab.
The programme began with the registration of participants, followed by the inaugural session during which the dignitaries welcomed the NSS volunteers and encouraged them to actively participate in the training. They highlighted the importance of leadership, discipline, teamwork, community service and disaster preparedness in creating a resilient society.
The inaugural session was graced by Ms. Shruti Aggarwal, Consultant (Disaster Management), MGSIPA, Punjab, along with Mr. Gurbakshish Singh, NSS Coordinator, Government Polytechnic College, Mr. Kuldeep Rai, Mr. Sandeep Bajaj and Mr. Taran Kanodia, Assistant Registrar, PTU Campus.
Addressing the participants, Ms. Shruti Aggarwal introduced the fundamentals of disaster management and explained various types of disasters, their causes, mitigation measures and preparedness strategies. She also elaborated on the objectives of the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme and motivated the students to become trained volunteers capable of supporting communities before, during and after disasters.
As part of the practical sessions, Training Coordinator Mr. Gulshan Hira conducted an interactive activity aimed at enhancing the participants' alertness, concentration and quick response capabilities. Subsequently, Ms. Jiwanjot Kaur delivered a comprehensive session on disaster preparedness, covering early warning systems, emergency planning, evacuation procedures and safety protocols during emergencies. Mr. Yogesh Sharma conducted an informative session on crowd management, highlighting the importance of effective coordination and systematic response during emergency situations.
The training is being imparted by the MGSIPA Disaster Management Team comprising Mr. Gulshan Hira (Training Coordinator), Mr. Sumeet Singh, Mr. Yogesh Sharma, Ms. Jiwanjot Kaur, Ms. Saloni Sharma and Ms. Shaina Kaur.
The first day of the programme concluded successfully with enthusiastic participation from the NSS volunteers, who gained valuable knowledge and practical insights into disaster management, emergency preparedness and community-based response mechanisms.
Photo Caption: Ms. Shruti Aggarwal, Consultant (Disaster Management), MGSIPA, addressing NSS volunteers during the inaugural session of the seven-day Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS) Training Programme at Government Polytechnic College, Khunimajra, on Monday.