To instill a sense of responsibility and preparedness among the young students by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to emergencies, the NSS Wing of the North Campus, University of Kashmir (KU), Tuesday observed the ‘International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction’.

Themed ‘Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future’, the programme witnessed active participation from students, staff and NSS volunteers from various departments, aiming to encourage disaster preparedness and resilience among the youth.

On the occasion, Director, North Campus, KU, Dr Sheikh Ghulam Mohammad, emphasised the crucial role of the young generation in building a resilient future.

“Empowering the next generation to envision a resilient future is not just about disaster preparedness; it's about instilling a mindset of safety, innovation and proactive measures in our youth,” he said.

He further elaborated on the importance of adhering to building codes to construct smart earthquake-resistant structures and discussed various fire-safety measures essential for disaster risk reduction.

A documentary on disaster risk reduction was screened during the event, highlighting the impact of natural calamities and the significance of youth-led initiatives in mitigating such challenges.

To reinforce the practical aspects of disaster management, a live demonstration on using fire extinguishers was conducted. Participants were trained in employing disaster risk reduction measures while the students received hands-on experience in using fire extinguishers to put out fires.

Programme Officer, NSS Wing, North Campus, Bilal A Kaloo, coordinated the event.