HM Amit Shah Targets Zero Heatwave Deaths
Home Minister says India moving from disaster response to prevention at NDRF award ceremony
- Amit Shah attends President’s Colour Award ceremony of NDRF
- Government aims to reduce heatwave-related deaths to zero
- NDRF has saved over 1.5 lakh lives in 20 years
- CAPF personnel planted over 7 crore trees since 2021
GG News Bureau
Ghaziabad, 14th May: Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the government is working towards reducing heatwave-related deaths to zero while addressing the President’s Colour Award ceremony of the National Disaster Response Force in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
The Union Home Minister said India’s disaster management system has transformed from a relief-oriented approach to a preventive and productive framework under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Calling the President’s Colour award a recognition of courage, service and dedication, Shah congratulated NDRF personnel for earning the trust of the nation over the last 20 years through successful rescue operations during floods, earthquakes, cyclones and other disasters.
He said NDRF personnel have so far saved more than 1.5 lakh lives and evacuated over 9 lakh people to safer locations, creating a strong sense of trust and security among citizens.
Shah stated that India has emerged as a global leader and first responder in disaster management and has translated the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” into action through international cooperation and disaster response initiatives.
The Home Minister said the government is focusing on achieving the goal of zero casualties in disasters wherever accurate forecasting and early warning systems are available. He added that the National Disaster Management Authority has strengthened policy-making, awareness campaigns and disaster preparedness across the country.
Highlighting capacity-building measures, Shah said NDRF has trained more than 8,500 personnel, over 10,000 civil defence workers and around 2.2 lakh volunteers, including more than 10,500 boatmen in the last two years.
He also announced that projects worth over Rs 116 crore were inaugurated and foundation stones laid during the event to further strengthen NDRF’s disaster response capabilities.
Recalling major disasters such as the Odisha Super Cyclone, Gujarat earthquake and Indian Ocean tsunami, Shah said these incidents led to the creation of a stronger disaster management framework under the Disaster Management Act and the establishment of NDMA and NDRF.
The Home Minister further said that personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces have planted more than seven crore trees across the country since 2021, contributing to environmental protection and efforts to tackle climate change.
