Agartala, November 8:
The Yuva Apda Mitra Camp 2025, a flagship programme of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) aimed at building disaster preparedness and response capabilities among youth, was inaugurated on Saturday at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel in Agartala.
Organized by the 15 Tripura Battalion NCC, the 10-day residential camp (from November 3 to 12) seeks to train 800 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, including 400 women, in disaster preparedness, search and rescue operations, first aid, and relief coordination. The training will enhance the state’s capacity to respond effectively during natural and man-made calamities.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by several distinguished dignitaries. Col Kush Kumar Sharma (Retd), Chairman of the Tripura Public Service Commission, graced the event as the Chief Guest and formally inaugurated the camp. J. Vanlal Duati, senior Tripura Civil Service officer, attended as Guest of Honour, alongside Pranab Sarkar, President of the Agartala Press Club and Tripura Football Association; Brigadier Ranjit Borthakur and Deepak Sharma (IAS Retd), both former Chairmen of the Assam Public Service Commission; and Dr. Sarat Kumar Das, State Project Officer, State Disaster Management Authority.
Delivering his address, Brigadier Anand Raj Singh, Group Commander of NCC Group Headquarters Silchar, highlighted the significance of the initiative in empowering young people with life-saving and leadership skills. “This programme aims to prepare youth to act promptly and responsibly during disasters, thereby strengthening community resilience and ensuring safety across Tripura,” he said.
The camp combines classroom training with hands-on simulations and mock drills, fostering a spirit of service, discipline, and teamwork among participants, in alignment with NDMA’s vision of developing disaster-ready citizens.
