Disaster Management to Be Taught in ITIs and Other Institutes: Minister

In a major step to strengthen disaster preparedness and response capabilities in Himachal Pradesh, Urban and Rural Planning, Housing, and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani announced that disaster management will soon be introduced as a subject in the curriculum of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), polytechnic colleges, engineering colleges, and pharmacy institutes across the state, using modern technology as a teaching tool.

Speaking as the chief guest at a Vishwakarma Day celebration at Sundernagar Polytechnic Institute in Mandi district, the minister underlined the growing need for integrating technology into disaster management. He said students would be trained in the use of artificial intelligence (AI), space technology, drone surveillance, rescue operations, risk assessment, and mitigation techniques.

Calling it “a landmark decision in the context of Himachal Pradesh,” Dharmani said the initiative would ensure trained manpower in every village and town, reducing response times and improving the precision of relief operations.

He added that pharmacy students would be taught how to deliver medical aid in disaster-hit areas, particularly remote regions, using advanced tools and methods. The objective, he said, is to prepare tech-savvy first responders capable of acting swiftly and effectively during emergencies.

As part of this initiative, Dharmani announced that students would present disaster management-related models and projects at the next Vishwakarma Day celebrations. This, he said, would not only give them practical exposure but also pave the way for startups and innovation in the disaster management sector.

The event also saw the felicitation of toppers from 11 polytechnic branches and 60 ITI branches. Polytechnic students who secured first, second, and third positions received awards of ₹50,000, ₹30,000, and ₹20,000 respectively, while ITI toppers were awarded ₹21,000, ₹11,000, and ₹5,500. The prizes recognized their academic excellence and technical proficiency.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to making technical education more attractive and relevant, Dharmani said vacant posts in technical institutions would be filled soon, and ITI courses were being realigned with industry demands, including the integration of AI tools.

During the program, the minister inspected various innovative models developed by students of engineering, polytechnic, and ITIs, even taking a ride on a battery-operated bicycle built by students. He praised their creativity and technical skills.

On the occasion, the Technical Education Department handed over a cheque of ₹16 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, while IMC and SWF associations of technical education contributed an additional ₹31,000.

The event marked an important milestone in integrating cutting-edge technology into disaster management education, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.