Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Honours Personnel for Their Contribution During Disasters

Dehradun, Oct 2025 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured personnel who contributed significantly during disaster relief and rescue operations. The Chief Minister also announced that the process of including disaster management training in schools and colleges is underway.

Speaking at the “Pride Movement Felicitation Ceremony” organised by the Arpit Foundation at the Government Doon Medical College in Patel Nagar on Saturday, Chief Minister Dhami felicitated personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, Police, and ITBP for their exemplary service during recent disasters.

The Chief Minister said that this honour is a mark of gratitude towards those who risked their lives to save others during natural calamities. He remarked that when one speaks of Uttarakhand, it is not only its natural beauty and spirituality that come to mind but also the geographical challenges and frequent disasters that the state faces every year.

He noted that being nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, the state often witnesses landslides, floods, cloudbursts, and heavy rainfall. While Uttarakhand is known as Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods), he said, the same nature that offers such beauty also brings unpredictable challenges.

Recalling past tragedies, Dhami mentioned the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, which claimed thousands of lives, and the 2021 Chamoli disaster in the Rishiganga and Dhauliganga valleys that shook the entire nation. He also spoke about the Joshimath subsidence crisis in 2023, and the recent incidents of heavy rains, landslides, and cloudbursts in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Dehradun districts that caused loss of lives and property.

He praised the SDRF, NDRF, and police teams for their relentless efforts on the ground to rescue people trapped in debris and provide emergency relief. He said that during disasters, these personnel not only evacuated affected families to safe locations but also managed rehabilitation and relief camps.

Referring to the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation, the Chief Minister said it was a defining moment when the eyes of the entire nation were fixed on the mission. “With the blessings of Baba Boukhnag and under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the operation became successful,” he said.

Dhami added that whenever he visits disaster-affected regions, the courage and dedication of the rescue workers strengthen his belief that the state can face any challenge. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their continuous support during crises. He recalled that the Prime Minister personally visited Dehradun to meet disaster victims, listen to their problems, and take immediate decisions in the review meeting. Modi also announced a special relief package of ₹1,200 crore for the people of Uttarakhand, which greatly aided rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

The Chief Minister said that disasters not only destroy infrastructure but also shake people’s confidence and future. Hence, the state government is committed to ensuring not just compensation but long-term rehabilitation and livelihood restoration for affected families.

He stated that the government has equipped SDRF personnel with advanced tools such as drones, satellite-based monitoring systems, and modern rescue gear. Under the Aapda Mitra Yojana, local youths across villages are being trained in disaster response. Additionally, disaster-resilient technologies are being made mandatory in road and bridge construction.

Dhami said the government has initiated the process of integrating disaster management training into the school and college curriculum so that the next generation is better prepared to handle such situations.

During the event, students warmly welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for implementing the Anti-Cheating Law to ensure fairness in examinations.

Among those present were MLA Premchand Aggarwal, Swami Rupendra Prakash, Shri Krishna Giri Maharaj, Additional Director General of Police V. Murugesan, and programme convener Smt. Honey Pathak.

(Issued by Department of Information & Public Relations)