Agartala, Oct 13 (TIWN): The people should take responsibility to deal with any natural disaster at any time, said Tripura Minister for Science, Technology and Environment- Bijita nath in a programme organized by West Tripura district administration on the occasion International Day for Disaster Reduction at Umakanta School ground, here today. The state government has been introducing different proposals to tackle any natural disaster, she said.

The minister also appealed to achieve the meaning of the pledge for disaster preparedness. “We should not leave the value of oath in the swearing-in ceremony, we should keep ourselves prepare to handle any circumstance incase of natural disaster”, said Nath.

The International Day for Disaster Reduction was observed across Tripura with pomp and gaiety today. To mark the observance of the day, a state-wide rally was organized from the Umakanta Academy at 11 am, which traversed different roads in the capital city- Agartala. Minister Bijita Nath began the rally by hosting the flag.  The students from different schools including staffs of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), students of NSS units, fire-fighters and many others took part in the rally.

The swearing-in ceremony on disaster management and mock-drill on fire safety was conducted at Umakanta Academy ground. The District Magistrate (DM), West- Abhishek Singh administered the pledge for disaster preparedness. The Inspector General (IG) of Fire Service Department- Nepal Das attended the programme. As a part of the programme, siren was played for a minute at 1 pm. During the siren, all the officers and staffs of different offices including District Magistrate (DM) office stayed in their own places.

On the occasion, swearing-in ceremony was also conducted on natural disaster management at 10.30 am in Secretariat, here today. The Chief Secretary- G.K. Rao administered the oath for disaster preparedness.