Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], August 2 : On the occasion of Independence Day, Garvita Bhakuni from Uttarakhand has been selected to represent the state at the prestigious 'At Home' Reception to be hosted by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 15.
A resident of Lower Mall Road in Almora, Garvita is among only five Yuva Aapda Mitra (Young Disaster Friend) Cadets selected from across the country for the ceremony. Apart from Uttarakhand, one cadet each has been chosen from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.
Congratulating Garvita on her achievement, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the honour reflects the spirit of service, discipline and commitment of the state's youth towards disaster management.
The Chief Minister said that during any disaster, the local community is the first responder. Well-trained youth and community members can make relief and rescue operations faster, safer and more effective. With this vision, the state government is actively involving young people in the disaster management system so they can assist society during emergencies and play a vital role in reducing disaster risks.
He added that in a disaster-prone state like Uttarakhand, a strong network of trained youth volunteers will prove invaluable in addressing future challenges while promoting a culture of disaster preparedness and safety across communities.
Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, said that under the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme, implemented with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 4,310 young volunteers are being trained in Uttarakhand. These include volunteers from the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), and Bharat Scouts and Guides.
He said that around 2,700 volunteers have already been trained in disaster management, search and rescue, first aid, evacuation, emergency response, community awareness, and disaster risk reduction. The scheme aims to build a capable volunteer network that can spread awareness before disasters, support the administration during relief and rescue operations, and actively contribute to rehabilitation and community assistance after disasters.
Expressing her gratitude, Garvita Bhakuni said that representing Uttarakhand at the President's 'At Home' Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan is a matter of immense pride and honour. She said the training she received as a Yuva Aapda Mitra has instilled in her the confidence and sense of responsibility to serve society.
She added that she will continue to work with dedication in the field of disaster management and public service and encourage more young people to join the initiative.