Gangtok; 18th September: District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), East in coordination with Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department observed Disaster Risk Reduction Day here at the auditorium of TNSSS, Gangtok, Today. The Programme was organized with the objective to disseminate key message of disaster awareness to the public through Skits, Speeches, live demonstrations and appeals etc. GMC Mayor, Mrs. Lassey Doma Bhutia, Chief Guest of the occasion, appealed the gathering to bear in mind the day of disaster for self awareness. She said, it is our utmost duty to be responsible for controlling manmade disasters. She urged the students to disseminate and multiply the educative information to every nook and corner of the state. She suggested students to develop positive perception of every activities carried out for noble cause. She also give away the certificate and token to the winner of elocution competition during the programme. Addressing the gathering District Collector East, Mr. Chewang Gyatso Bhutia reminded the horrific day of 18th Sept. 2011 and urged the students to disseminate the information and the knowledge regarding disaster preparedness, mitigation and risk reduction mechanism to the family and the society. He further considered student as best medium of spreading right information to reach the un-reach section of society. Stressing on frequently conduction of awareness programme he said, we cannot prevent natural disaster or calamity but at least we can extend contribution to mitigate its impact through active and quick response system which can be attained by conducting such programmes frequently. Pointing out on the manmade disaster and the main cause of death during earth quake, he suggested the gathering to follow appropriate methods, proper technology and norms to strengthen the concrete construction which eventually saves life from danger, he added. District Project Officer Mr. Sonam Wangyal Lepcha presented the various activities carried out by DDMA East. He also briefed on the Mega Mock exercise on earthquake performed by DDMA, Conducting Training programmes, Role of NGOs, formation of Special Search Rescue Team, Early Warning System, District response mechanism and future roadmap including the evacuation plan. Retired DIG and Civil Defiance Warden Mr. B.K. Roka spoke about concept of civil defiance. Encouraging students towards voluntary activities he said, the first responder in the initial stage at the spot of the incident is the real civil defiance. He informed about the existence of civil defance and its dynamic sphere of functioning. He suggested the students to get the emergency number of related organization to avail the required service during the time of disaster. Principal TNSSS Mr. K. B. Chettri extended thankfulness to the DDMA for choosing TNSSS as the venue for imparting valuable information towards disaster management. He also expected similar kind of programme to be conducted in due course of time. Earlier ADC Mr. Karma Bompu readout the message of Chief Minister wherein it was mentioned that 18thSept. is declared as the Disaster Risk Reduction Day every year. The programme also saw the presentation of skit by Arithang women welfare association, Elocution competition amongst the different school. Student representative from West Point Sr. Sec. School, Tadong, Bojoghari, Rani pool, Deorali, Enchey, TNSS Sr. Sec. School enlightened gathering about wide spectrum of disaster management. The programme was also attended by the Dy. Mayor Shakti Singh Chaudhary and other councillors of GMC, Additional superintendent of police, east, officials from HRDD and students and teachers from in an around Gangtok. The programme was concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by SDM Mr. K. L. Lepcha and the programme was conducted by Miss Bijayata Kharel.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:25:49 +0000