DISASTER MANAGEMENT AWARENESS DRIVE HELD IN PONDA
Panaji : As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat – Swayampurna Goa initiative, the Office of the Deputy Collector & Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Ponda conducted a Disaster Management Awareness Drive on Thursday at the Kavlem Panchayat Hall, in collaboration with the Kavlem Village Panchayat and various allied departments.
The programme was presided over by Deputy Collector & SDM, Ponda, Shri Shubham Naik, and saw participation from several dignitaries including Sarpanch Smt Manuja Naik, Swayampurna Mitra Smt Snehal Prabhu, Chief Officer, Ponda Municipal Council Shri Suyash Khandeparkar, Health Officer PHC-Ponda Dr Smita Parsekar, Mamlatdar Ponda Shri Bhiku Gavas, BDO Shri Ashwin Dessai, PI Ponda Shri Vijaynath Kavlekar, and Station Fire Officer Shri Sushil Morajkar.
The drive witnessed active participation from sarpanchas and panchas of neighbouring panchayats, Talathis, Village Panchayat Secretaries, teachers, students, Swayampurna Mitras, and local residents, with over 250 people in attendance.
The event featured interactive sessions and live demonstrations, including fire suppression techniques by the Fire & Emergency Services, first-aid drills by the Health Services, and informative sessions on compensation schemes by the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Agriculture Department. The public was also briefed on the role of the State Disaster Management Authority under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
In his address, Deputy Collector Naik underscored the importance of community involvement in disaster preparedness, stating, “Awareness today turns into resilience tomorrow.” He added that this drive in Ponda taluka is part of a broader series of awareness programmes being organized across the state during the monsoon season.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Smt Sharmila Gaonkar from the Office of the Mamlatdar, Ponda, who commended the joint efforts of all departments and the enthusiastic public response.
