‘DIVYANGJAN DISASTER SECURITY PROGRAMME FROM AUGUST 22

 ‘DIVYANGJAN DISASTER SECURITY PROGRAMME FROM AUGUST 22

9-AUG-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-------------------------The highly ambitious “Divyangjan Disaster Security Program” of Bihar State Disaster Management Authority will now be expanded in the entire state. With the cooperation of “Saksham”, an institution of the Social Welfare Department, a meeting-cum-workshop of District Program Managers on the pre-preparations and management of this program starting at the Panchayat level was organized in the meeting hall of the Authority on 7 August 2025. The meeting was chaired by the Vice President of the Authority, Dr. Uday Kant.

The meeting was held in the dignified presence of Authority members P.N. Rai, Narendra Kumar Singh and Prakash Kumar. On this occasion, Secretary Mohd. Waris Khan, IAS, OSD Mohd. Moiz Uddin, Special Secretary Ashutosh Singh, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Commandant Rajesh Kumar, Deputy CEO Sunil Kumar from “Saksham”, SPM (HR) Shahnawaz Ahmed, Guest Faculty of Bipard Dr. Om Prakash and Secretary of Abhipsa Special School Suman Kumari including District Program Managers of Saksham from all the districts of the state were present. The meeting was conducted by Nodal Officer Sandeep Kamal.

The Divyangjan Disaster Safety Program will be formally launched on August 22, 2025. On the same day, “Disaster Safety Awareness Camps” (Safe Fridays) will be organized at 101 Buniyad Centers / identified sites across the state. A formal inauguration ceremony will be organized in the morning at the Buniyad Center located at Danapur near Patna, in which the Vice President, Members and Secretary of the Authority will participate. All Buniyad centers will join this inauguration through video conferencing. SDRF and trained disaster friends will cooperate in organizing the camps. On this occasion, while addressing the District Program Managers, Authority Vice President Dr. Uday Kant said that “Divyangjan Disaster Suraksha Program is not just a scheme, but a sacred effort taken towards human sensitivity, respect and self-reliance. The Divyangjans for whom you are working are the living embodiment of God. It is our responsibility to give them not only security but also self-confidence. Your compassion, dedication and emotional understanding are the real strength of this program. Referring to the resolution of the Chief Minister, he said that the Chief Minister is extremely sensitive in every work related to Divyangjans. On August 15, 2022, he had said from Gandhi Maidan that every possible effort will be made to keep the Divyangjans safe in disasters. Nitish Kumar ji was the first to talk about 'disaster management' and emphasized not only relief but also pre-preparations.

The Vice President directed all the Buniyaad Centers operating under Saksham to run Divyang Training Programs through 'Handholding. He said that along with giving disaster safety training to the Divyangjans and their families, you should also bring them into the mainstream of society. Try to connect them. He asked to divide the Divyangjans into three categories according to their abilities. Those Divyangjans who are very weak should get more guidance and support. There is a need to connect them with livelihood, self-employment or suitable jobs.

Suman Kumari gave a presentation on the topic “Needs of Divyangjans and our responsibility as trainers” in the meeting-cum-workshop of District Program Managers. In this presentation, she told that trainers should develop sensitive, inclusive and accessible training material by understanding the physical, educational, social, technical and emotional needs of Divyangjans. There is a need to pay special attention to special measures for the safety, evacuation and rehabilitation of Divyangjans during disasters – such as identification, visual alarm, ramp, Braille material, mental support etc.

In the meeting, various measures to protect Divyangjans in case of disaster, make them aware about disaster management and effectively implement this program were discussed in detail. It was also told that through mock drills, training, coordination with parents and change in social attitude, we can make Divyangjans more prepared for disasters. We can make it safe. The program managers of all the districts present in the meeting were directed to adopt this approach in training at the grassroots level and make it effective till the panchayat level.