PM Modi asks people to become conscious, aware of their own safety

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked the people to become conscious and aware of their own safety saying if they start taking daily precautions seriously, a lot more casualties and risks could be evaded.

The Prime Minister said, "If we are not aware of safety in daily life, if we are not able to attain a certain level, it will get extremely difficult during the time of disasters."

Addressing his monthly radio programme "Mann Ki Baat", he said that barring natural disasters, many mishaps were a consequence of mistakes and urged the fire brigades to organise mock drills in schools as training and awareness have important role in disaster management.

"There are messages and slogans everywhere about safety measures at work places and on streets. But these message are hardly followed. If we stay alert, abide by the prescribed rules, we shall not only be able to save our own lives but we can prevent catastrophes harming society," the Prime Minister said.

Urging the concerned departments under corporations and municipalities who possess the fire brigades to visit different schools once a week or a month and conduct mock drills, he said it will have dual benefit free of cost. 

"First the fire brigade will undergo an exercise in readiness and the new generation will get lessons of being alert," said the Prime Minister, adding that India was a land of geographic and climatic diversities. 

"As far as disasters are concerned, the country has beared different disasters including chemical and industrial mishaps," he said, while lauding the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for reaching areas hit by earthquakes, floods, cyclones and landslides within no time. 

Stressing on the need to organise awareness campaign about safety, he said that thousands of people used to die due to heat wave few years ago.

Recently, India made an attempt of joint exercise for disaster management where different countries of world on the lines of joint military exercise participated, he said, adding "It was a novel humanitarian experiment on a large scale. We will have to turn ourselves into a risk conscious society. In our culture, we often talk of safety of values we now need to realise the values of safety."

Modi visits Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry and paid homage to its founder Sri Aurobindo.

Arriving here from Chennai, the Prime Minister reached the ashram where he was received by the officials. He paid floral tributes at the memorial of Aurobindo, a spiritual leader, and meditated for a few minutes. Later, he interacted with the children of the International School of Education run by the ashram.

The international or universal project envisioned by the mother of Aurobindo Ashram, Mirra Alfassa, is dedicated to the ideal of human unity.

(With Agency Inputs)