The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) wants the subject of disaster mitigation be included in school curriculum to train students to become the first responders in times of natural calamities and help reduce casualties.
The NDRF played a crucial role in Kerala where nearly 300 people have lost their lives since August 8 in the second spell of the monsoon that displaced 10.40 lakh people.
"The need of the hour is awareness on natural calamities. We can train children on disaster mitigation by making it part of the school curriculum," Director General of NDRF Sanjay Kumar told PTI in an interview.
Kumar said school children, cadets of the NCC, village defence force personnel can play vital role at the time of natural calamities like flood, fire, quake or tsunami and can be trained properly so that they can be the first responder in any disaster.
The DGsaid about 67 lakhpeople across the country have been imparted basiccombat training by the NDRF till now as part of its efforts to create effective response against calamities like earthquakes and floods
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