Bathinda, January 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A seven-day “Training and Capacity Building of Civil Defence” workshop concluded successfully at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, from January 15 to January 21, significantly strengthening disaster preparedness and emergency response awareness among youth.
Addressing the trainees on the concluding day, Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, MRSPTU, commended the discipline, enthusiasm, and commitment displayed by the participants. He emphasized that such hands-on capacity-building programmes are crucial for nurturing responsible citizens and for reinforcing the nation’s disaster-response mechanism through a trained pool of community-level first responders.
The Vice-Chancellor further lauded the collaborative efforts of the Punjab Home Guards and Civil Defence and allied agencies, stating that empowering students with life-saving skills not only enhances public safety but also instils a strong spirit of service, preparedness, and resilience among the youth.
The workshop was organized by Punjab Home Guards and Civil Defence, Bathinda, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Fire Services, Home Guards and Civil Defence, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The intensive programme witnessed the participation of 120 trainees, comprising students from MRSPTU and ITI Bathinda.
The training focused on equipping participants with essential practical skills, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), firefighting techniques, first aid, and basic rescue and search operations, enabling them to respond effectively during emergencies and disasters.
The initiative was launched in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, following which the Government of India initiated a nationwide programme to train 360 Civil Defence volunteers in every Civil Defence town across the country, with the objective of creating mass awareness and building a strong community-based disaster-response force.
The workshop was formally inaugurated by Col. A. D. Pitre, Commanding Officer, 20 Battalion NCC, who highlighted the critical role of trained volunteers in disaster preparedness and community safety.
Expert lectures and practical demonstrations were delivered by a distinguished panel of resource persons, including Naresh Pathania (First Aid), Inspector Ashish and his team from NDRF, Dr. Umesh Gupta, and fire officers led by AFO Harpreet Singh, offering valuable insights into disaster management and coordinated rescue operations.
On the concluding day, certificates were distributed to the successful trainees by the Vice-Chancellor in the presence of Hari Singh Mann (District Commandant), Lt. Vivek Kaundal, ANO, 2 PB R&V Squadron NCC, Er. Simardeep Kaur, CTO, 20 PB Battalion NCC, Inspector Sukhdeep Singh Jeeda, Inspector Karan Shah, and Inspector Vipul Yadav.
The programme was widely appreciated for strengthening disaster preparedness among youth and fostering a culture of social responsibility and community service.
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