Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 261/22

FIRST PHASE TRAINING FOR AAPDA MITRA VOLUNTEERS CONCLUDED IN TURA

The Valedictory Function of the First Phase Training under Upscaling of Aapda Mitra Scheme was organized by the District Disaster Management Authority, West Garo Hills at SMELC, Dakopgre, Tura on July 2, 2022. The Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills V S Rathore graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

Stating that the State Police is always the first responder in case of any disaster V S Rathore said that now with the trained Aapda Mitra Volunteers, some percent of the responsibility has been extended to these volunteers to respond quickly in their respective localities and surrounding areas in times of any disaster whether natural or man made. He also said that incidents such as road accidents, fire in the neighbourhood, etc are also cases of disaster which needs to be responded to by Aapda Mitra Volunteers for rescue operation, etc. Informing that communication is the backbone especially when disaster strikes he said that we need to communicate with each other. Therefore, he urged the volunteers to learn how to use and function of VHS sets which would become handy during these times but cautioned them to keep it safe so that it does not go into the wrong hands and to inform the concerned authority if it gets lost. Moreover, emphasizing on the importance of response time, he said that response time is crucial and that they should respond immediately so that they can save precious lives. Further, he urged everyone to serve the people with dedication and added that their good performance can save the lives of many people.

The District Disaster Management Authority, West Garo Hills Tura James D Sangma informed that the 12 days residential training for Aapda Mitra Volunteers have started from 23rd June to July 2, 2022. Both boys and girls from Tura, Dalu and Rajabala areas have participated in the training programme. He also mentioned that the NDMA is implementing a central sector scheme for training of Community Volunteers with a focus on training of 200 community volunteers per district in disaster response in selected flood prone areas in India. 50 volunteers had been trained in the 1st Phase and another 150 will be trained in the next phases, he added.

Trained volunteers Chegrik Marak and Salsime Marak also shared their experiences and said that they have learned a lot about various topics related to disaster management such as floods, landslides, building collapse, First Aid, Fire and Emergency Services, Rope rescue, Roles and Responsibility of SDRF, MPRO, etc including how to follow Traffic rules and Motor Vehicle Act, etc during these two weeks residential training.

During the valedictory function, each Group presented a Demonstration on various rescue operations like Blanket lifting, CPR, Improvised Stretcher, Radio Communication, Lifting by One Rescuer, Control Bleeding and Wound Care, Jaw Bandage, etc. Further, the Chief Guest and other dignitaries distributed the Certificates and prizes for Best Group and Demonstration during the function. The Best Volunteer Awards was given to John Marak while 2nd was awarded to Banlem Ch Sangma and third to Salsime Marak.

Press Release No. 262/22

LEGAL AWARENESS PROGRAM HELD AT SAMPALGRE VILLAGE

District Legal Services Authority, West Garo Hills under the aegis of Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority, Shillong, in collaboration with the District Administration, District Rural Development Agency, Health Department, District Disability Resource Centre, Social Welfare, ICDS, Agriculture and Horticulture Departments organized a one-day Health Camp-cum-Legal Awareness Program at Sampalgre village under Gambegre C and RD Block on 2 July with the Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Justice Sanjib Banerjee, as the chief guest and where the people from adjoining areas, the Nokmas of different A.king lands, officials from various Govt. departments and other dignitaries participated.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief justice said that the Constitution of India has given us rights but it is our misfortune that despite 75 years of independence people are not even aware of fundamental rights and informed that the right to water, right of having access to roads, the right to free education up-to the age of 14 years are the most basic rights and these rights together with basic health care must be made available to the people. The people must fight for their rights and they must assert themselves so that these rights can be enjoyed by them and they can help themselves by not making any distinction between person and person, he said. He also that unless we respect women, we will not have a harmonious society.

Justice HS Thangkhiew, Judge of the High Court of Meghalaya, while addressing the gathering, highlighted the aims and objectives of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, poverty alleviation and para-legal volunteers. He also informed that there are free legal services available for the people belonging to the weaker sections of the society.

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe, stressed on the need to have Aadhar Card, EPIC and bank accounts for availing various schemes of the Govt. He also assured to look into the problems being faced by the people of Sampalgre village. Chakkim A Sangma, a para legal volunteer, highlighted the difficulties and problems of the Sampalgre village.

During the day long program, Project Director of DRDA, MT Sangma, highlighted the poverty alleviation schemes of the Govt. like MGNREGS, PMAYG, IGNOAPS, National Food Security Act, 2013, Midday Meal Scheme, Payment for Ecosystem Services, etc. District Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Bijoy Deb Barma, deliberated on maternity and child health while the CDPO, Gambegre C and RD Block, highlighted the welfare schemes being implemented by the Integrated Child Development Services

The Agriculture Development Officer Marketing, Pitila Ch Marak, highlighted the package and practice for vegetables cultivation to improve livelihood to farmers while the District Agriculture Officer deliberated on the schemes being implemented by the Department of Agriculture and the District Social Welfare Officer, highlighted the schemes being implemented by the department.