IMPHAL, April 9: A three days international workshop on Earthquake and Landslide: Challenges of Disaster Management in Four Northeastern States (Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland) was inaugurated today at the Court Hall of Manipur University.
Speaking at the workshop, Professor Dr Amita Singh, Disaster Research Programme, JNU Workshop, said the DRP’s purpose was to disseminate information and make the community well prepared to face any disasters.
However, community cannot work alone and they need to be assisted which is why the DRP has sorted out the convergence brining all the research together so that we are able to implement the policies and also to reform the policies which are being existed, continued Dr Amita.
She further said that the DRP is planning to open up centres in all the remote regions of the country including the NE region, as a part of their initiatives.
Dr Amita Singh said that a Disaster Research Programme (DRP) should be established at Manipur University.
She elaborated that the University should get the students, local communities to get involved in the programme to help connect with the vulnerable groups.
Many academicians from across the country, two delegate from Nepal, representatives of law enforcing agencies like the Manipur police, Assam Rifles, NGOs etc took part in the workshop.
As a part of the three days long workshop, a field trip will be conducted visiting the areas that were recently affected by the earthquake, flood, landslides including Chakpikarong, Thoubal, Imphal- Churachandpur, Saikul, Noney.
The inaugural function was graced by I Hemochandra Singh-PHED Minister, Labour and Employment, Government of Manipur and Lok Sabha MP-Dr Thokchom Meinya Singh, as chief guest and president of the function.
Dr Kamal Kishore Member NDMA, the chief host of the function, Vice Chancellor of Manipur University, Prof Nandakumar Sharma, KM Singh former Member of NDMA, Former DG NDRF, also shared the dais alongside the dignitaries.
The workshop was jointly organised by Disaster Research Programme (DRP) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, Centre for Studies of Social Exclusion or Inclusive Policy, Manipur University, National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi and Manipur State Disaster Management Authority.