Disaster management to be taught in ITIs, other institutes, says Himachal minister

In a significant move aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response capabilities in Himachal Pradesh, Minister for Urban and Rural Planning, Housing and Technical Education, Rajesh Dharmani announced that a new subject on disaster management using modern technology will soon be introduced in the curriculum of the state's Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), polytechnic colleges, engineering and pharmacy institutes.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Vishwakarma Day celebration held at Sundernagar Polytechnic Institute in Mandi district yesterday, the minister emphasised the growing need for technological integration in disaster management. He revealed that students will be trained in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), space technology, drone surveillance, rescue operations, risk assessment and mitigation techniques.

"With this initiative, every village and town will have trained human resource, reducing response time and improving accuracy in disaster relief operations,” said Dharmani, terming it a "major decision in the context of Himachal Pradesh."

He also stated that pharmacy students would be taught how to provide medical assistance in disaster-hit areas, especially in remotely cut-off regions, using advanced tools and methods. The goal is to create tech-savvy first responders who can act swiftly and effectively during emergencies.

As part of this initiative, Dharmani announced that students will present disaster management-related models and projects during the next Vishwakarma Day celebration. This will not only give them hands-on experience but also pave the way for startups and innovation in the disaster management sector.

The event also saw the felicitation of toppers from 11 polytechnic branches and 60 ITI branches.

Polytechnic students securing first, second and third positions were awarded Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively.

ITI toppers received Rs 21,000, Rs 11,000 and Rs 5,500 as rewards.

The awards were given in recognition of their academic excellence and technical proficiency.

In his address, the minister assured that the state government is taking concrete steps to make technical education more attractive and relevant. He stated that vacant posts in technical education institutions will be filled soon and that ITI curricula are being aligned with industry demands, including the incorporation of AI tools.

During the event, the minister also inspected various innovation models developed by students from engineering, polytechnic and ITI institutions. He even took a ride on a student-built battery-operated bicycle, praising the students' creativity and technical skills.

On this occasion, the Technical Education Department presented a cheque of Rs 16 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Additionally, the IMC and the SWF associations of technical education contributed Rs 31,000.

The event marked a significant step forward in integrating cutting-edge technologies into disaster management education, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.