Home Guards and Civil Defence Volunteers Act as Protective Shield in Disasters : Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that during natural disasters or man-made accidents, minimising damage and restoring normal life at the earliest is of utmost importance. He emphasised that maintaining patience and courage in times of crisis is essential, and in such situations, the promptness and service spirit of Home Guards and Civil Defence volunteers act as a protective shield for society.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that it is a matter of pride that Madhya Pradesh has a strong and disciplined force of over 82,000 volunteers. In the changing global scenario, civil defence plays a crucial role. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country’s civil defence system has become more robust, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and decisive actions against terrorism. Civil Defence Volunteers are being trained to respond effectively to natural disasters such as floods, landslides and fire incidents, as well as to carry out relief and rescue operations.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, highlighting the state’s legacy, said that civil defence in Madhya Pradesh began in 1968 from Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior, and has now grown into a vast network. Today, the state has more than 82,000 Civil Defence volunteers. He was addressing the “Madhya Pradesh Civil Defence Volunteers Conclave–2026” at the Home Guards Parade Ground.

Demonstration of Disaster Response Techniques

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav observed live demonstrations of disaster response techniques presented by participants. Civil Defence volunteers showcased skills, such as preparing rubber boats during floods, creating floating rafts using available resources, constructing rope bridges, administering CPR in emergencies and demonstrating rescue techniques for air attacks and rope rescue operations.

Girls from Indore Civil Defence also presented a self-defence demonstration. On the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav distributed Civil Defence jackets to volunteers. Director General of Home Guards, Smt. Pragya Richa Shrivastava presented a memento to the Chief Minister.

   Focus on Training and Preparedness

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav emphasised the importance of training girls in civil defence and appreciated ongoing initiatives in this direction. He also emphasised the need to provide special training to police station staff located along major roads to help save the lives of road accident victims.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav mentioned that the state government has launched initiatives such as the ‘Raaheer Yojana’ and the ‘PM Shri Air Ambulance Service’ to ensure citizens’ safety, making Madhya Pradesh the first state in the country to introduce such measures. He further stated the growing population of wildlife, including tigers and cheetahs. He emphasised the need for training in both wildlife management and civil safety.

Adapting to Technological Challenges

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav highlighted that rapid technological advancements are bringing new challenges. Referring to a recent incident in Indore, he said that a fire caused by an electric vehicle charger, coupled with the failure of digital door locks, led to the tragic loss of lives. He urged Home Guards and Civil Defence volunteers to equip themselves to tackle such emerging challenges.

Participation and Training of Volunteers

Director General of Home Guards and Civil Defence, Smt. Pragya Richa Shrivastava informed that 780 volunteers from five districts participated in the conclave and received one month of special training. She described them as vigilant guardians of disaster management and internal security, contributing significantly towards building a self-reliant Madhya Pradesh.

Volunteers are trained in disaster management, fire safety, traffic management, and various civil defence services, including life-saving during emergencies, minimising property damage, maintaining essential services, boosting public morale, first aid, crowd control, relief distribution, communication support and psychosocial assistance.

DIG, SDRF, Home Guards and Civil Defence, Shri Manish Agrawal, stated that Civil Defence volunteers are also being prepared for Simhastha 2028. Senior Divisional Officer Shri Kamalendra Parihar outlined the programme. The event was attended by defence volunteers, division wardens, and others, while volunteers from all districts participated digitally through information centres.