A first-time venture by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the national-level exhibition will not only feature exhibits of all the tools used by the NDRF personnel during and after disasters, but also serve to spread awareness about the NDRF’s role and potential in combating all disasters.

“We are perceived as gun-wielding uniformed personnel who are deputed for defence-related activities. However, there is hardly any awareness about NDRF’s role during and after disasters and this exhibition is aimed at putting forth our work to the public,” said the Battalion’s Commandant, Jasbir Singh Sandhu. “Our uniforms and the stereotypes precede us and we hope that this exhibition will prove that we can save lives as well,” said second-in-command, R S Joon.

The Battalion, which was felicitated for the putting up the ‘Best Exhibit Stall’ during the International Seminar on Disaster Management that was held in Bangalore in November last year, will also be stressing on educating the community about disasters.

“A community’s only chance at survival during disasters depends on the basic awareness and skills that its members cultivate to combat it,” added Sandhu. “For example, the casualties during the Bhopal Gas tragedy would have been reduced if the people knew the use of a wet handkerchief.”

Around 700 children from schools are slated to attend the exhibition and will be shown the movies on the major disasters like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and tsunami.

“The exhibition will be educative and improve general awareness among the general public and will also highlight the community’s role, during disasters. With the members of the National Disaster Management Authority to attend it, as well as the Home Minister of India Shivraj Patil slated to inaugurate the exhibition, the general public will also get to know the initiatives being undertaken by the Union/State Disaster Management Authorities to combat disasters,” said Sandhu.