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| GUEST EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 2 | Page : 76-77 |
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Disaster Management Education at UG level in the Indian University System
Rakesh Kumar Sharma
Scientist 'G', Additional Director and Head, CBRN Defence, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organization, Brig. S. K. Mazumdar Marg, Delhi - 110 054, India
| Date of Web Publication | 8-May-2013 |
Correspondence Address:
Rakesh Kumar Sharma
Scientist 'G', Additional Director and Head, CBRN Defence, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organization, Brig. S. K. Mazumdar Marg, Delhi - 110 054,
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2231-4040.111522
How to cite this article:
Sharma RK. Disaster Management Education at UG level in the Indian University System. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2013;4:76-7 |
How to cite this URL:
Sharma RK. Disaster Management Education at UG level in the Indian University System. J Adv Pharm Technol Res [serial online] 2013 [cited 2023 Mar 27];4:76-7. Available from: https://www.japtr.org/text.asp?2013/4/2/76/111522 |
Disaster is a catastrophe, mishap, calamity, or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or human-induced causes or by accident or negligence. It results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of property or damage to, or degradation of environment is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area. India is vulnerable to various natural disasters on account of its geo-climatic conditions. About 58.6% of the its landmass is susceptible to earthquakes and over 40 million hectares (8%) is prone to floods. 8000 kilometres of coast line is prone to cyclones and 68% of the country's geographical area is susceptible to drought. The tsunami disaster, which struck five coastal States/UTs of India in December 2004, has further highlighted our vulnerability. In addition, India is equally vulnerable to human-induced disasters (e.g., CBRN - Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear). In the aftermath of a major emergency, a trail of misery is left behind in the form of sufferings, immediate trauma, injuries, short- and long-term deleterious effects resulting in a high degree of morbidity and mortality among the affected community. These need to be understood and addressed for disaster impacts to be minimized. India is vulnerable to various natural disasters on account of its geo-climatic conditions. Disaster management (DM) is a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing measures which are necessary or expedient. [1]
The Government has enacted the Disaster Management Act in December 23, 2005 to provide for institutional mechanism for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of the disaster-management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of Government for prevention and mitigation effects of disasters, and for undertaking a holistic, coordinated, and prompt response to any disaster situation. The Disaster Management Act provides for the constitution of a National Executive Committee (NEC) to assist the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in the performance of its functions under this Act. NEC is mandated with the responsibility for implementing the policies and plans of the NDMA and ensures the compliance of directions issued by the Central Government for the purpose of disaster management in the country. One of the tasks assigned to NEC is to function to promote general education and awareness related to disaster management.
The National Policy on Disaster Management 2009, approved by the Union Cabinet on October 22, 2009, proposed to introduce Disaster Management (DM) course in professional technical education. The curricula of graduate and postgraduate level courses in architecture, engineering, earth sciences, and medicine will be reviewed by the competent authorities to include contemporary knowledge related to DM in their respective specialised fields. At the National level, the Ministry of Human Resource Development is tasked to encourage the development of DM as a distinct academic discipline, in the universities and institutes of technical excellence.
Disaster education is aimed at developing a culture of preparedness and safety besides implementing school DM plans. Disaster management as a subject in social sciences has been introduced in the school curricula for Class VIII, IX, and X by the Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD), through the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for empowering the younger generation from the disaster preventive aspects. This is being extended to all schools through their Secondary Education Boards. State Governments will also ensure the inclusion of disaster management curriculum through State School Boards. The education content are so designed as to inculcate skill-based training, psychological resilience, and qualities of leadership. The role of the NCC and Boy Scouts is also being included in schools and colleges for disaster management related work.
Formal DM courses have been designed for meeting the demand of the growing needs of experts in the fields of Disaster Mitigation, and preparedness for the mitigating the effects of disasters. These institutions are steadily marching forward to fulfil their mission to make a disaster-resilient India by developing and promoting a culture of prevention and preparedness at all levels. [Table 1] shows the Institutions/ Universities that provide DM Certificate / Diploma / Degree or PG courses.
In addition to this, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), Delhi, is the only institution that provides training for the human induced disaster management.
University Grant Commission (UGC) constituted an Expert Committee on Disaster Management Education, which in its final meeting (22 nd October 2012), proposed a report for the approval and implementation of 'introduction of an optional paper on Disaster Management at UG level across the universities/colleges and it would be as one of the topics in Orientation and Refresher Course offered by the Academic Staff Colleges' and a letter was issued on 29 th November 2012. The course will have 50 lectures of 45 minutes duration may be taught in any semester of UG studies in all 566 universities/college. The disaster management course is expected to create a basis to work toward preparedness and also help develop a culture of safety and prevention. [2]
There is an urgent need for institutional Training of Teachers (TOT) in the field of disaster management. Training modules need to be designed at all level. NIDM and other institutions listed in [Table 1], organises on-site and off-site course work programme for the natural disaster management. INMAS can undertake such training for human-caused disasters. In house training of pharmaceutical academician is needed to develop them as trained faculty for DM education. [2]
 References | |  |
| 1. | Rana S, Sharma RK. Medical preparedness for mass-casualty incidents involving CBRN agents: A Pharmacist's perspectives. Pharma Rev 2011:69-76. 
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| 2. | Goel R, Chawla R, Kumar V, Silambarasan M, Sharma RK. Role of pharmacist in the management of CBRN disasters. Pharma Rev 2009:61-9.
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[Table 1]
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