DEHRADUN, 4 Oct: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured the personnel of NDRF, SDRF, Police, and ITBP at the “Pride Movement Samman Samaroh” organized by Arpit Foundation at Government Doon Medical College, Patel Nagar, for their commendable contribution in rescue and relief operations during disasters.
The Chief Minister said that this honour is a token of gratitude to those brave personnel who contributed selflessly, without caring for their own lives, during disaster relief operations. He said that whenever we speak of Uttarakhand, we not only recall its natural beauty and spirituality but also the geographical challenges and recurring natural disasters that the state faces every year. Being nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, landslides, floods, cloudbursts, and excessive rains are common in Devbhoomi, he noted.
Referring to past calamities, Dhami recalled the 2013 Kedarnath disaster which claimed thousands of lives, the 2021 Chamoli Rishiganga and Dhauliganga tragedy, and the 2023 Joshimath subsidence. He also mentioned the heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and landslides in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Dehradun this year that caused deaths, missing persons, and massive damage to property. In these challenging times, he said, the biggest priority was saving human lives, and it was at “ground zero” that SDRF, NDRF, and police-administration worked tirelessly to rescue injured and trapped people.
The Chief Minister noted that relief personnel not only rescued affected families but also managed rehabilitation and relief camps. Recalling the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation, he said the entire nation’s eyes were on Uttarakhand during that time, and with the blessings of Baba Bokhnag and under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the operation was successfully completed.
Dhami said that during his visits to disaster-affected areas, he always draws confidence and inspiration from the courage and dedication of the rescue workers. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their support in disaster relief operations. The Prime Minister personally visited Dehradun to meet disaster victims, listen to their concerns, and take immediate decisions. He also announced a special relief package of ₹1200 crore for Uttarakhand, which greatly helped in rehabilitation and reconstruction works.
The Chief Minister remarked that disasters not only damage buildings and roads but also shatter people’s confidence and future. Hence, the state government has ensured that disaster victims are not only given compensation but also proper rehabilitation and livelihood support. He added that SDRF personnel have been equipped with drones, satellite-based monitoring systems, and advanced rescue gear. Under the “Aapda Mitra Yojana,” local youth in villages are being trained, and disaster-resilient technology has been made mandatory in road and bridge construction.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives, Dhami said that the process of incorporating disaster management training in schools and colleges has been initiated to better prepare the next generation for such challenges.
During the ceremony, students specially welcomed the Chief Minister and expressed gratitude for implementing the anti-cheating law.
On this occasion, MLA Prem Chand Aggarwal, Swami Rupendra Prakash, Krishna Giri Maharaj, Additional Director General of Police V Murugesan, and programme convenor Hani Pathak were also present.
