Coordinator of SAP, Prof S C Gakhar, welcomed the Vice-Chancellor of PU, Prof R C Sobti, dignitaries and participants on behalf of the department. Prof Sobti spoke about various disasters which occur and the challenge to develop management strategies to prevent and reduce the same.

Director General of Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Dr Rashpal Malhotra said that the institution was a pioneer in disaster management programmes.

The organiser of the event, Dr Nandita, said that combating disasters and their efficient management demands and deserves partnerships that are rooted in a dialogic culture.

Academia should assume and perform a key role here; that of devising programmes and activities for popular awareness, capacity building and developing a socio-spatial consciousness.

During the technical session, Colonel Harjeet Singh spoke about man-made humanitarian disasters – an Indian perspective — and highlighted the essential features of these, the problems faced and lessons learnt from them.

Professor L N Sharma from PEC also spoke about the impact of natural disasters and the paradigm shift required in their management.

He stressed on the need for the reduction of intensity, duration and impact of hazards as well as to reducing the vulnerability of society, environment and economy.

The second technical session was chaired by Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor B S Ghuman.

Here, Professor S Nagpal spoke about how education can become a vehicle in combating disasters. President of 3E Innovative Foundation, R C Kelita, discussed the role of the NGO sector in disaster management.

A panel discussion was also organised as part of the event, wherein representatives voiced their opinions and concerns.