Disaster risk education must for schools: Sham

Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma addressing gathering during awareness camp in Akhnoor on Monday.
Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma addressing gathering during awareness camp in Akhnoor on Monday.

Excelsior Correspondent

Minister for PHE,  Sham Lal Sharma addressing gathering during awareness camp in Akhnoor on Monday.
Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma addressing gathering during awareness camp in Akhnoor on Monday.

JAMMU, May 26: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma today said that disaster risk education must be introduced in the Government as well as in private schools.
Addressing gathering at an awareness camp organised by National Development Foundation (NDF) on disaster risk reduction at Akhnoor today, the Congress Minister said that disaster risk management plan should be in place and there should be regular mock drills  and training programme for children to minimize the risk. The students and staff of five Higher Secondary Schools from Akhnoor area participated in the progamme.
Mr Sharma said that J&K falls under earthquake seismic zone-V and there was urgent need to create awareness among the children and other people on various aspects of disaster management. He stressed upon the need to train children and communities on fire fighting and other rescue techniques and skills of first aid so that any alarming situation is dealt with full responsibility and effectively so that human loss is minimized.  He extended cooperation to the NDF for organizing such seminars/ camps.
Rajiv Khajuria, chief functionary of the Foundation disclosed that NDF has Disaster Risk Reduction division and imparts training to students and communities on disaster mitigation strategies.   Sulakhshana Sharma, Programme Manager NDF acted as resource person and briefed the gathering on various ways and aspects of DRR. SE Hyd Rajeev Malhotra, DEPO, Principals of several schools also spoke on the occasion.