A NEW GENERATION IS PREPARING TO FIGHT DISASTERS

A NEW GENERATION IS PREPARING TO FIGHT DISASTERS

11-FEB-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA--------------------------At the Asia-famous Sonepur Fair held last month, various disaster awareness programs were successfully organized at the pavilion set up by the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority. Under the Chief Minister's School Safety Program (MSSP), children from various schools in three nearby districts—Saran, Vaishali, and Patna—visited the authority's pavilion daily and actively participated in disaster management activities.

Hundreds of children participated in a disaster-themed painting competition organized as part of these activities. Children were required to present through paintings the prevention and safety measures against disasters such as earthquakes, floods, fires, cold waves, extreme heat, and lightning. A jury of five senior art teachers selected three children from each district for the first, second, and third prizes.

These children and their teachers, selected for their outstanding paintings, were awarded at an awards ceremony held in the auditorium of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority on January 21. The ceremony was presided over by the Honorable Vice Chairman of the Authority, Dr. Uday Kant. The program was conducted under the guidance of Honorable Members P.N. Rai, Narendra Kumar Singh, Prakash Kumar, and Shambhu Dutt Jha.

On this occasion, Authority Secretary Md. Waris Khan, IAS Special Secretary Ashutosh Singh, OSD Md. Moizuddin, Director of the Bihar Meteorological Service Center Dr. C.N. Prabhu, State Program Officer of the Bihar Education Project Council Uday Kumar Ujjwal, Nodal Officer of the Chief Minister's School Safety Program, Senior Advisor Ashok Kumar Sharma, along with all the officials and professionals of the Authority were present.

Chief Minister's School Safety Program: Concrete Results of a Visionary Initiative

During the program, speakers noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, historic and unprecedented work has been accomplished in the field of disaster management in Bihar. Moving beyond a relief-centric approach and prioritizing disaster risk reduction, awareness, training, and school-level preparedness is a result of the Chief Minister's vision. The Chief Minister's School Safety Program is a powerful example of this approach, through which millions of children are being taught practical tips to stay safe from disasters. The children's paintings clearly indicate that the new generation is not only understanding disasters but also adopting measures to deal with them.

Details of Awarded Students

Saran District

1. Maya Kumari (Class 10)

Baldev High School, Trilokchak, Dighwara

2. Himanshu Kumar (Class 10)

Janak Ishwar High School, Sheetalpur, Dighwara

3. Roshni Kumari (Class 10)

Baldev High School, Trilokchak, Dighwara

Vaishali District

1. Preeti Kumari (Class 9)

State-Supported Girls High School, Hajipur

2. Sonali Kumari (Class 12)

Upgraded Secondary School, Meenapur Rai, Hajipur

3. Komal (Class 11)

G.A. Inter School, Hajipur

1. Krish Kumar (Class 10)

T.K. Ghosh Academy, Government Plus 2 High School, Patna

2. Lovely Kumari (Class 9)

Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar

3. Gudiya Kumari (Class 9)

Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Bankipur, Patna