Sangrur, July 16: The fourth day of the seven-day Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS) training programme for NSS volunteers was conducted successfully at Akal College of Education, Sangrur. The training focused on enhancing the participants' practical disaster management capabilities through a combination of classroom sessions, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises. Some of the key topics covered during the day included First Aid, Soft Tissue Injuries, Fire Theory and Fire Safety Demonstration, Lifting and Stabilizing Loads, and Lifting and Moving Patients. The training sessions were designed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of NSS volunteers in handling emergencies and providing immediate assistance during disasters and accidents. The sessions reinforced the importance of preparedness and the critical role that trained community volunteers can play in minimizing the impact of disasters. On the practical side, the fourth day's Fire and Rescue theoretical and practical sessions were conducted by the Fire and Emergency Services Department, Sangrur. The trainee volunteers gained practical experience in operating fire extinguishers and responding effectively during fire emergencies. Such hands-on exposure enhanced their confidence and preparedness to act responsibly in situations involving fire hazards. In addition, practical sessions on lifting, stabilizing, and safely moving injured persons during rescue operations were also conducted. The seven-day hands-on training programme under the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme is an initiative of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), chaired by the Prime Minister of India, to create a dedicated force of trained youth volunteers in every district of the country. In Punjab, the scheme is being implemented by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann, through the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Chandigarh. The training programme will cover all 23 districts of Punjab with the objective of empowering the state's youth to assist the district administration during emergencies and unforeseen situations. In Sangrur, a dedicated team of disaster management professionals, under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Jog Singh Bhatia, Senior Consultant, MGSIPA, is providing hands-on training on disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation techniques. The team includes Mr. Yogesh, Mr. Sunil, Ms. Balwinder, Ms. Saloni, Ms. Etisha Parmar, and Mr. Kartic. At the conclusion of the day's training, Prof. (Dr.) Jog Singh Bhatia, Senior Consultant (Disaster Management), MGSIPA, Government of Punjab, along with his team, appreciated the valuable contribution of the Fire and Emergency Services Department, Sangrur, for providing practical and field-oriented learning opportunities to the volunteers. As a token of appreciation, he presented a memento to the department and expressed gratitude for its support in strengthening the disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities of the participants.

Punjabi Khabran