Disasters have an adverse impact on the cumulative growth as they can cause severe damage to the economy. In any disaster, the Government resources are heavily strained both for relief and rescue operations and subsequently, for rehabilitation and restoration of normalcy.
In the case of tackling such type of natural disasters and their after-effects, the Government may find it in an uncomfortable position. The resources may become scarce and the already existing developmental programme may get affected due to diversion of resources for relief and reconstruction programme. That's why it is imperative to understand the dynamics of handling such issues of disaster management that takes an important place for the country’s tackling capabilities on natural calamities Disasters are the best school masters.
Disaster education should be imparted to all people, men and women, young or old, literate and illiterate and it must address their specific needs as individuals and groups, where India needs a breed of experts and specialists on all the diverse aspects of disaster mitigation and management in which enough space can be provided to our universities and higher institutes of learning to play a role.
A much broader framework alone can meet the demands for disaster education for all.Disaster education should become a bridge between research and development, especially on the issues leading to sustainable protection of natural environment on the one hand and solving real life problems on other.
Science and technology orientation programmes, public awareness and training (PAT), training for trainers (TTT) and others should be conducted. Besides, there should be programmes of higher learning such as professional education and training (PEAT) and higher education and training (HEAT).
Every disaster should therefore be regarded as a great and priceless learning opportunity. There should be a pre-determined arrangement to allow operational freedom and funding to established research teams. This will allow researchers to keep evidences and data. Odisha has an integrated disaster management system for carrying out mitigation, prevention, preparedness and response system from below. This is where Odisha has taken a lead.
The Government of Odisha has adopted a resolution to provide training to students, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Government employees, elected employees, Vanasurakhya Samitis and community based organisations in disaster management which is a welcome step.
A good beginning is to incorporate subject in school and college curriculum. The Government plans to create a huge knowledge infrastructure to take forward mission.The goal is to train everyone—right from ward member on the bottom to top. The Government of Odisha has created a separate Disaster Management Department, a new policy and an authority that remains focused on disasters.
In the last 20 years, mighty cyclones have been dealt with ease—Yaas the latest example—as Odisha has internalised the art of preparedness.Since the scope of disaster education spreads even beyond the entire disaster cycle, design of education programmes should require extraordinary vision and effort. Teaching through training programmes should become another popular way of educating the people.
