Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In a significant step toward community-led emergency preparedness, a city-level disaster management workshop and training programme was held at Ravindra Natya Grah on Saturday.
The event aimed to equip citizens with essential skills to respond effectively during natural or man-made disasters.
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav and BJP city president Sumit Mishra inaugurated the session, which saw the participation of over 800 "Disaster Friends" (Aapda Mitras) from all 85 wards of Indore. These volunteers received hands-on training in first aid, evacuation techniques, communication protocols, and rescue coordination.
MP Shankar Lalwani lauded Indore’s initiative, stating that the city continues to set benchmarks in civic preparedness. He also announced the formation of a district-level disaster committee and shared plans for further advanced training sessions in Nagpur.
Mayor Bhargav emphasised the need for citizens to play an active role in internal security and crisis response, highlighting the program as a unique innovation aimed at creating a ready force of trained volunteers across the city. "Prepared citizens are our greatest strength during floods, earthquakes, or fires," he said.
Supported by the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), district administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and civil defence, the programme ensures that each ward will now have 8–10 trained volunteers to assist in rescue and relief operations.
BJP president Sumit Mishra praised Indore’s proactive approach, stating, “Once again, Indore has acted ahead of other cities by institutionalising disaster readiness at the grassroots level.”
The workshop also engaged public representatives, NGOs, and community leaders, who commended the city’s forward-thinking initiative. The training covered a broad range of scenarios - from natural calamities like floods, heavy rains, and earthquakes to man-made emergencies such as fires and terrorist threats.
