Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while praising the service of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), urged the force to work towards achieving the goal of zero casualties and minimum property damage during natural disasters. Shah made these remarks at a ceremony where the President's Colour Award was bestowed upon the NDRF at its 8th Battalion headquarters in Ghaziabad's Kamla Nehru area.
Zero Casualty, Minimum Property Damage
"The NDRF should work to achieve the 'Jaan hani shunya, sampati nuksan nuntam' (zero casualty, minimum property damage) goal. It is a matter of pride that the NDRF, in the last 20 years since its formation, has provided succour and relief to people affected by disasters, both natural and man-made, not only in the country but across the globe. The NDRF has placed India on the global map in the field of disaster relief," said Shah.
Global Recognition and Proactive Approach
The 8th Battalion NDRF in Ghaziabad was involved in a rescue operation in earthquake-hit Turkey in 2023, which also included its elite dog squad. Shah highlighted that the response to disasters has evolved from a reactive to a proactive approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership over the past 12 years. "NDRF teams now reach disaster-prone areas before natural disasters strike, be it cyclones or floods. An ecosystem has been developed for providing relief from the panchayat to the central government level. The sight of NDRF personnel in a disaster zone instils confidence in people. Such is the reputation the NDRF has earned," he added.
Challenges and Capacity Building
Shah cautioned about future challenges for the NDRF due to global warming and climate change, emphasizing the need for capacity building and community participation. "Now we have the capacity to predict many natural disasters with support from the Indian Meteorological Department, risk mapping, and early warning systems. With community participation, disaster relief is becoming a national character. The 10-point Disaster Risk Management outlined by the Prime Minister serves as a reference point," Shah said.
Expansion and Training
The NDRF has expanded from 8 to 16 battalions. It is also involved in training State Disaster Response Force teams, Aapda Mitra personnel from the National Service Scheme, and fishermen. Shah laid the foundation stone for six new NDRF centres across the country, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 111 crore.
President's Colour Award
The President's Colour is one of the highest honours granted to military or paramilitary forces in recognition of exceptional service to the nation. The award is symbolized by an emblem, known as the 'Nishaan', worn on the left-hand sleeve of all unit officers' uniforms.
