The High Altitude Trekking and Skiing Institute in Narkanda district of Shimla organised a ten-day camp for National Service Scheme (NSS) members to train them in disaster management and community service.
The camp which concluded on Tuesday was attended by more than 30 participants from all over India.
The NSS, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, was launched in 1969 with primary focus on personality development of students through community service.
The training camp, attended by youth mostly from states like Tripura where winters are mild, also aimed at acclimatizing members from plains to the climatic and topographical conditions of hilly regions.
Organiser and trainer of the training camp, Santosh Kainthala, speaking on the focus of such camps said that the camp aimed at encouraging trainees for community services and also be aware of disaster management tactics.
"This session aimed at training youths from all over India so that they can participate in community services including disaster management and help in rescue operation during any calamity in the snow bound areas," said Kainthala.
Sharing his experience, a participant from Tripura, Gautam Majumdar said that after attending the camp he was confident of being able to help victims of natural disasters.
"I wanted to help victims hit of natural calamities and this camp has been a wonderful experience. This has prepared me to participate confidently in disaster management henceforth." said Majumdar.
Considering the recent natural calamities that took a toll on lives and badly exposed the flaws in the disaster management strategies of the country, this emerges as a welcoming step towards better disaster management strategies with involvement of youths to ensure faster post calamity restoration.
