In a heartfelt gesture, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured personnel who played crucial roles during disasters at a ceremony in Patel Nagar, Dehradun, on Saturday. The event, organised by Arpit Foundation under the Pride Movement Samman Samaroh, recognised the contributions of NDRF, SDRF, police and ITBP teams during relief and rescue operations.
Our correspondent reports that Dhami described the honour as an expression of gratitude to those who risked their lives in disaster situations. He recalled that Uttarakhand, despite its natural beauty, faces recurring challenges such as landslides, flash floods and cloudbursts due to its Himalayan terrain.
Referring to past tragedies, Dhami spoke of the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, the 2021 Chamoli flash flood, the 2023 Joshimath subsidence and the recent incidents of cloudbursts and landslides in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Dehradun. He said these calamities tested the resilience of the state but also highlighted the selfless service of relief workers.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister praised the relentless work of ground teams who rescued the injured, evacuated families and operated rehabilitation camps. He made special mention of the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation, where trapped workers were freed after days of effort, attributing the success to the blessings of Baba Baukhnag and the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Our correspondent reports that Dhami stressed the government’s broader approach to disaster management, noting that disasters damage not only buildings and roads but also the confidence and future of people. He said compensation alone is not enough and that livelihood restoration and long-term rehabilitation are essential.
Highlighting preparedness, Dhami said that SDRF teams have been equipped with drones, satellite monitoring tools and advanced rescue gear. Under the Aapda Mitra scheme, local youth in villages are being trained to respond effectively in emergencies. The state has also mandated the use of disaster-resilient technology in road and bridge construction.
Our correspondent adds that Dhami announced that disaster management training is being introduced in schools and colleges so that future generations are better prepared. He expressed confidence that Uttarakhand can meet any challenge with the dedication of its relief forces.
During the ceremony, students thanked the Chief Minister for his strong action against cheating mafias through the implementation of the state’s strict anti-copying law. Dignitaries including MLA Premchand Aggarwal, Swami Rupendra Prakash, Shri Krishna Giri Maharaj, ADG V. Murugesan and programme convenor Honey Pathak were also present.
