Union Home Minister Shri Sushilkumar Shinde inaugurated the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Civil Defence and Home Guards in New Delhi today. On this Occasion, Shri Shinde appreciated the achievements of the volunteers of these organizations during any kind of disaster whether natural or man made. He said these organizations exhibit spirit of volunteerism of common man to provide support and relief to victims of disasters. He also said that to provide further momentum to the process of strengthening the Civil Defence organization Government of India plans to launch a new scheme of mainstreaming Civil Defence in Disaster Risk Reduction at an outlay of approximately Rs. 600 crore in the 12th and 13th Five Year Plan. The Home Minister also said that the Civil Defence and Home Guards will always be the first responders in the disaster situation and thus required to play a proactive role in disaster management.
Shri Sushilkumar Shinde said that the Government of India has already brought about the change in the approach to disaster management from a relief centric approach to holistic approach covering the entire cycle from immediate relief to sustainable rehabilitation. The Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a Committee last year to carry out an in depth study to analyze the problem areas and suggest measures required to be taken to streamline the Home Guards Organisations. The recommendations of the Committee have been received and are under consideration, the Home Minister added.
Shri Sushilkumar Shinde also awarded Distinguished Service Medals to seven Civil Defence personnel and inaugurated the Website of National Disasters Response Force (NDRF) and Civil Defence. The Union Home Minister also launched new Logo of Civil Defence, Monogram of NDRF and a Souvenir of Civil Defence.
The Vice Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority, Shri M. Shashidhar Reddy and the Ministers of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs S/ Shri Mullapally Ramachandran and RPN Singh also highlighted the role and contributions of Civil Defence and Home Guard on the occasion.
Earlier in his Keynote address, Union Home Secretary, Shri R. K. Singh said that Civil Defence is the only force in the world, which is truly democratic in its principle of being a specialized force of the people, by the people and for the people. He also said that missionary zeal and enthusiasm of the volunteers of Civil Defence has made the Government realize its potential and the massive role its members can play in the areas of disaster risk reduction, creating disaster resilient community and disaster response. He pointed out that the Directorate General of National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence has successfully implemented a Rs. 100 crore scheme for Revamping of the Civil Defence setup in the country. Encouraged by the response, the Government has also launched a Pilot Project of involving Civil Defence in the Internal Security.
Shri P.M. Nair, Director General, National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence, welcomed the guests and outlined the role of Brave and Blue NDRF and Civil Defence personnel in disaster situations across the country.
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