With the kind support of Dr. Nirmal Singh Jaura, Director of Students’ Welfare, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, the NSS volunteers of PAU successfully completed a seven-day training programme on Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Response under the Youth Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS). The training was conducted at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan, Ludhiana, from January 28 to February 3, 2026.
The programme was sponsored by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi, and the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Punjab, and was organized by the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Government of Punjab. The initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of youth volunteers and prepare them to act as first responders during disasters and emergency situations.
During the training, NSS volunteers received comprehensive theoretical and practical exposure in various aspects of disaster management. Key components included disaster risk reduction strategies, early warning systems, search and rescue operations, first aid, fire safety measures, evacuation techniques, and community-based disaster management planning. The programme featured mock drills and hands-on demonstrations, which significantly enhanced the volunteers’ confidence and preparedness. Participants were trained to respond effectively to both natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and man-made emergencies including fires and accidents. Special emphasis was placed on teamwork, leadership skills, communication, and community awareness, enabling the volunteers to assist local authorities and support affected communities during crisis situations.
The training programme was conducted smoothly under the joint coordination of PAU NSS Programme Officers, including Dr. Raj Kumar Pal, Dr. Anna Goyal, Dr. Luvjit Kaur, Dr. Mandeep Sharma, Dr. Deepika Bisht, Dr. Aman Sharma, Dr. Gagandeep Kaur, and Dr. Harmandeep Kaur.