Kottayam: Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) is introducing a pioneering initiative by establishing an extensive disaster management team. The team, named ‘MGU Team On Spot,’ will consist of 4,800 volunteers, a combination of National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets from affiliated colleges. This marks the first instance in the country where a university has organized such a comprehensive volunteer force for disaster relief.
Covering regions in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, and parts of Alappuzha district, this team will collaborate with state and district disaster management authorities, government departments, and local bodies. The force is divided among districts: 1,400 in Kottayam, 1,500 in Ernakulam, 800 in Pathanamthitta, and 1,100 in Idukki, with coordination overseen by the National Service Scheme.
Professional training will be provided to equip team members in various disaster management aspects, involving the police, disaster management authorities, Fire Safety and Rescue force, health department, and field experts. Their activities will align with the directives of government agencies, focusing on disaster preparedness, evacuation, rescue operations, first aid, relief camp services, decontaminating water sources, and rehabilitation efforts.
To ensure effective coordination, committees will operate at the university, district, and college levels. The Vice-Chancellor of MGU will head the University coordination committee.
The launch of the MGU Team on Spot’s activities will be inaugurated by Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan at CMS College in Kottayam, with MGU’s Vice-Chancellor in-charge, C.T. Aravindakumar, presiding over the event.