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Welcome Address by Vice
Chancellor,
SNDT Women’s University
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Prof. Vasudha Kamat
Vice Chancellor, SNDTWU |
Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra and
Chancellor Sir, Shri. Vidyasagar Rao,
Hon’ble Minister of Higher and Technical
Education Shri. Vinod Tawde, Vice
Chancellors of participating universities,
Dr. Sanjay Chahande, Principle Secretary,
Higher and Technical Education, Mr. Vikas
Rastogi, Secretary to Hon’ble Governor Sir,
NDRF Officers and trainers, Officers of SNDT
Women’s University as well as all other
participating Universities, Dr. Mane,
Director of Higher Education and his team,
invited guests, Programme Officers and NSS
Volunteers who have been selected for this
unique training programme of 10 days,
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the
inauguration ceremony of the inspiring
training programme on Disaster preparedness
aptly titled as Avhan, Challenge. The more
than thousand delegates seating here will be
known as Hon’ble Chancellor’s Brigade after
3rd June when they successfully complete
training. We, at the university, feel
especially happy when Hon’ble Chancellor
visits us, as he is the Head of our Family.
This year we are fortunate to have Hon’ble
Chancellor Sir to inaugurate the Avhan-2015
hosted by SNDT Women’s University.
I greatly appreciate the concept of this
training programme for three reasons.
- Cooperation
- Youth Power
- NDRF (National Disaster Response
Force)
Recently I read a Book titled “Super
Cooperators: Evolution, Altruism and Human
Behaviour” by Martin Nowak. He makes a point
about going beyond the concept of “Selfish
Gene” and emphasizes importance of
cooperation for survival. These young
delegates have volunteered to participate in
the training to help others, provide helping
hand to people in distressed situation
itself proves the point. I also appreciate
the role of their Programme Officers from
all universities who constantly inculcate
values like cooperation, collaboration,
teamwork, support.
Second is the youth power,
Young people are often seriously affected
when disasters strike and can face severe
difficulties in coping with unexpected and
traumatic interruptions to their lives. But
despite this, the world’s youth are also the
very people who can teach their communities
-and the wider world- how to reduce the
risks and impact of disasters. Young people
are unmatched by any other demographic group
in their ability to bring about meaningful
change in social behaviour and attitudes.
(International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies). I am happy that our
state is positively valuing potential of the
youth to make a real difference in the time
of disaster.
The NDRF is the third important partner in
this endeavour who have made Indians proud
through their tireless service in disaster
situations. NDRF has trained more than 6.5
lakh community workers in disaster
preparedness (I am happy to note that more
65000 of those are in Maharashtra. This
number may have been increased). The
programme chalked out for this training camp
looks very impressive and challenging (After
all the programme is titled as Avhan: the
Challenge. I am sure all these young
volunteers will prove us right)
As put it by Mr. Bekele Geleta,
Secretary-General, International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
“Disaster is not a Department: to reduce
risk we must empower communities”. What is
expected as an outcome of this 10 day
training is reaching out to the community,
making them aware and create disaster
preparedness. I am sure NDRF expert trainers
will achieve this target through the Youth
Power.
I am especially happy and thankful to
Hon’ble Chancellor for giving us the
responsibility to host Avhan 2015, as it is
a special year for us. SNDT Women’s
University established by the great Social
reformer Bharat Ratna Maharashi Dhondo
Keshav Karve on July 5, 1916 will be
celebrating its Centennial Year in 2015-16.
As a precursor to this great celebration, I
and my team at SNDT welcome you all to the
inauguration ceremony of ten-day unique
training programme on Disaster Preparedness.
I also welcome all the Vice Chancellors and
officers of participating universities to
visit the camp sites (there are three this
time) whenever they find it convenient.
Thank you!
Prof. Vasudha Kamat, VC SNDTWU
Please Visit Inauguration Photo Gallery |
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