Shillong (Meghalaya), Oct 30: The Regional Capacity Building Training Programme for Academicians of North-East India on “INSPIRING THE MINDS FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION” jointly organized by North-Eastern Hill University, and Indian Universities and Institutions Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (IUINDRR-NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), commenced today with an inspiring inaugural programme at the Auditorium of the Shillong Science Centre, NEHU, here .
In an era marked by growing environmental challenges and the increasing frequency of natural disasters, a collaborative effort to inspire and empower minds for disaster risk reduction has taken center stage.
The three-day training programme will focus on key considerations and raising awareness, educating the public, and encouraging community engagement in disaster risk reduction efforts. More than 60 delegates participated in the training program from North-Eastern states of India viz. Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya.
The Inaugural Session started with welcome address by Prof. Devesh Walia, Head, Department of Geology, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, and emphasized that integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into development practices, improving early warning systems, and enhancing community preparedness, societies can significantly reduce the impact of disasters and save lives.
Prof. Santosh Kumar, Head, GIDRR & Director-IUINDRR- NIDM in his address highlighted that disaster risk resilience is of paramount importance because it saves lives, protects communities and economies, and ensures that societies can recover and thrive in the face of disasters and there are 216 institutions registered for IUINDRR. By investing in resilience, individuals, communities, and nations can reduce vulnerabilities, enhance preparedness, and create a safer, more sustainable future. IUINDRR is the outcome of the vision of Prime Minister (Agenda No.6 of 10-point Agenda for Disaster Risk Resilience) and NIDM to prepare for Disaster Risk Resilience.
He informed the participants about establishment of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) and other funding opportunities for disaster risk reduction studies.
Chief Guest of the programme Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, Vice-Chancellor, NEHU, Shillong in his address advised the young researchers to interrogate critically about the developmental practices currently used in the Northeastern hilly region and understand how they are impacting the society in long term. He mentioned that resilience can only be adopted via adapting to climate adaptive solutions, greener approach and capacity building of local community involving the stakeholders and empowering the communities to lead and undertake activities to mitigate the impact.
He further emphasized that NEHU is ready to take up any challenge so as to safeguard and protect the life and livelihood and welcomed such activities in the interest of the NEHU community and the region at large.
Guest of honour of the program Dr. Bhaskar Basu, Regional Director, Atomic Minerals Directorate – North Eastern Region, Shillong highlighted the use of geoscience in an inclusive manner so that the youths are equipped by the skills required to work unsustainable approaches for making the future developmental practices more sustainable and safer for the community.
Prof. Lucy T.V. Zehol, Dean, SHES, NEHU, Shillong in her chairpersons’ remarks emphasized that incorporating resilience in our society need to be addressed at three levels viz. the global or the earth system, the social system comprising of infrastructure, and industrial capability and the human system.
Dr. Preeti Soni, Senior Programme Consultant, IUINDRR-NIDM gave the vote of thanks where she expressed gratitude to the patrons of the training program, Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS Executive Director, NIDM and Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, Vice Chancellor, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong for their support and guidance.
