Two day seminar on "Floods in 2014: Lessons for Disaster Management for J&K" on February 2 and 3, 2015

The J&K Regional Branch of IIPA in collaboration with the Dept. of National Security Studies, Central University of Jammu organized a 2-day seminar on “Floods in 2014: Lessons for Disaster Management for J&K” on February 2 and 3, 2015 at the IIPA Seminar Hall, Jammu.

During the first day of the seminar three sessions on the theme were organized. The opening session on “The Flood and Stakeholders Response” was chaired by Maj Gen (Dr) V K Naik, Kirti Chakra, AVSM (Retd), National Institute of Disaster Management in which Prof. S K Pandita, Department of Geology and Director of Disaster Management Centre, University of Jammu, Dr Peer Ghulam Nabi, Director, Centre for Research and Development Policy,  Kashmir University and Advocate Sajjad Sheikh, Rising Kashmir Foundation presented perspectives related to causes of recent flood and the difficulties unfolded during the disaster highlighting the response of various agencies including armed forces, government and non government organizations along with local communities.

The second session on “Causes and Course of Floods” was chaired by Prof G M Bhat, a seismologist and Rector, Bhaderwah Campus of Jammu University with Er. S R S Madni, Former Commissioner/Secretary, I&FC as other speaker. The last session on the theme “Relief and Reconstruction” was moderated by Dr Pawan Kotwal IAS, Commissioner Secretary, PHE, I&FC where Shri Shaleen Kabra IAS Commissioner/Secretary Education Department J&K, Group Capt (Dr.) Ajay Lele, Assistant Director, Institute of Defence Studies & Analysis, New Delhi, Sh J P Singh, IPS IGP Home Guards and Civil Deference and Dr G N Qasba, Municipal Commissioner of Srinagar presented papers discussing issues on weather and its effects on natural disaster along with relief and reconstruction.

Dr. Ashok Bhan, Former Member, National Security Advisory Board, Professor Gopalji Malvaya, Dean of NSS, Central University of Jammu; Sh. P P Sharma, Former Chief Conservator of Forests; Prof. Y Pardhasaradhi, Head of the Department of Public Administration, CUJ and members of IIPA also participated in the seminar. The sessions were conducted by Dr. Neeta Rani, Assistant Professor, Central University of Jammu and Dr. Komal Nagar, Joint Director, IIPA, J&K Regional Branch.

During the first session of the 2nd day, delegates discussed issues on “Preparedness to Minimize the Risks of Disasters”. While Prof Y Pardhasaradhi Head of the Department of Public Administration, CUJ presided the session, he himself along with Prof. G M Bhat, a seismologist and Rector, Bhaderwah Campus in Jammu University (JU) and Dr. Manohar Rana, Block Medical Officer, Sohanjana, Jammu presented papers on lessons to be learned from natural calamities, disaster management planning and role of hospitals in disastrous situation respectively.     

Maj Gen (Dr) V K Naik (Retd), Senior Consultant, National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi during the valedictory session expressed his views on issues related to national emergency including floods, land avalanche, stampede, earthquake etc. Professor Gopalji Malviya, Dean of NSS, CUJ presented a comprehensive summary on the two day seminar stating that the event was topical and, fruitful. He also elaborated on post incident trauma of disaster victims and emphasized upon the need to recognize individuals extraordinarily involved in fighting the incident. Dr Ashok Bhan, Patron, IIPA J&K Regional Branch in his presidential remarks stressed upon the need for attitudinal shift among the people to mitigate the risks of disasters and also stressed upon a dire need to develop alternate means of communication in the time of crisis, which are more dependable to support the rescue and relief process. While emphasizing the need for staying prepared for any disaster, he quoted an adage saying that “the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war”. While Prof. Alka Sharma, Director Seminars, IIPA J&K Regional Branch conducted the Valedictory Session, Er J B S Johar, Honorary Secretary, IIPA presented a formal vote of thanks.

The program was participated by delegates from various disciplines including academe, think tank, administration and security services.