18 Sept declared Disaster Risk Reduction Day

TWO-DAY NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT CONCLUDES
...AND 2012-13 TO BE OBSERVED AS DISASTER RISK REDUCTION YEAR
GANGTOK, 18 Sept: The two-day National Conference on Disaster Management with the theme ‘Towards a safe and disaster resilient Sikkim’ being held at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok was inaugurated by the Speaker, SLA, KT Gyaltsen at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok on Monday.
The Speaker during his inaugural address conveyed his sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims of the earthquake and expressed his gratitude to the members of the civil society, the Central Government, various state governments, NGOs who came to help during the hour of crisis. While underlining the need to systematize the disaster mitigation plan to cope up with such type of catastrophe, the Speaker urged the delegates and experts from other parts of the country to help, assist and guide the state which is in the process of preparation of future programmes in this regard.
The Speaker also acknowledged the proactiveness shown by the society during the post earthquake situation which he said was exemplary and showed the strength of the society during that time. He also highlighted on the activities undertaken by the government to provide relief and comfort to the people during the hour of crisis.
Member, National Disaster Management Authority, KM Singh during his address complimented the Government of Sikkim for the enormous work and large number of measures adopted in disaster management. He also appreciated the publication of a booklet on the training of masons which he said would be very effective in the construction of earthquake resistant houses and should be circulated around the country.
Mr Singh also highlighted on the importance of fire services and civil defence during the hour of crisis and said that it has a major role and responsibility to play during disaster.
Vice Chairman, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, Anil Sinha during his deliberation highlighted the importance of mock drill and rehearsal in disaster management.
Executive Vice Chairman, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Prof. VK Sharma, in his address, said that the subject of disaster management can be learned from each other through interaction and sharing of experience. This is because everyone has their own experience and knowledge in this field. In order to cope with the disastrous situation plans should be formulated from the panchayat and block level, he said.
The Chief Secretary of Sikkim, Karma Gyatso during his key note address briefed about the post earthquake activities and placed on record the service rendered by every individual, civil society, NGOs, Para Military forces, state and central government organisations immediately after the disaster and acknowledged their role during the hour of crisis.
“It is only due to the collective effort of everyone that normalcy was restored in very short span of time”, he added. The Chief Secretary informed the delegates that the state government is in the process of preparing the best disaster management plan in the country.
Giving an overview of the activities undertaken by the state government after the earthquake, the Chief Secretary said that given the climate here, the state has only about seven working months during which work can be implemented on the field.
The second day today had Minister HRDD, NK Pradhan as the chief guest who was accompanied by Minister Health and Vice Chairman, SSDMA, DN Thakarpa.
The conference was organised by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department on the first anniversary of the 18 September earthquake which hit the state last year.
Speaking during the conference, Minister HRDD, NK Pradhan stated, “We should learn from what has happened and correct the mistakes. Disasters can strike at any time, but preparedness can reduce the amount of loss”.
The State government has put in a lot of effort in the relief and rehabilitation works after the aftermath of the 18 September earthquake and has also been provided the necessary help by the Central Government. There is still a lot to be done and the recovery process will not be completed in a year it will take sometime and people will have to have patience, said Mr Pradhan.
On incorporating topics regarding earthquake and disaster management in the school syllabus, he advised his department’s officials to see it done as soon as possible as this was the need of the hour. School buildings all over the state [the old ones as well as the new ones] will be retrofitted to avoid extensive damages in future, he added.
Awareness and training about disasters needs to be created right from the grassroot level. We need to educate each and everyone about such disasters and make sure children especially school children get education regarding such disasters and learn how to be safe, he added.
Earlier in his keynote address, the Chief Secretary, Karma Gyatso made a powerpoint presentation on what has been done and what is to be carried out further. He also congratulated the Secretary, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department for organising such a conference as the feedbacks coming were very good.
He also requested the Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department to conduct such workshops and conferences annually.
Joint Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority [NDMA], Sujata Saumik talked about the School and Hospital Safety Programme which has been initiated by the NDMA and said that it should be incorporated in the state plan for disaster management. She also assured all support to the state from NDMA for the establishment of institute of disaster management in the state.
The conference was also addressed by SBS Bhadauria [Secretary, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department] and Professor Vinod K Sharma [Executive Vice Chairman, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority.
Earlier, certificates of appreciation were distributed to individuals, non-governmental organisations, para-military forces and government agencies who had helped in the relief and rescue work during the 18 September earthquake, last year.
Books, posters and public awareness materials were also released. The chief guest also declared 18 September as Disaster Risk Reduction Day and 2012-13 as Disaster Risk Reduction Year. A film on the 18 September earthquake by the Information & Public Relations Department, Reconstruction of Earthquake Damaged Rural Houses [REDRH] website and handbook were also released on the day.