Focus also on mental fitness : Kiren Rijiju to NDRF

5 Dariya News

New Delhi 03-Feb-2017

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday asked the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to focus not only on physical but also on mental fitness."India is a country which is prone to disasters, both natural as well as man-made... The security forces always try to focus on the physical fitness and forget about their mental fitness. (But) there come certain situations, where along with physical strength, spiritual and mental strength is also needed," Rijiju said. While inaugurating a programme 'Inner Strength and Disaster Resilience' being organised by the NDRF here, Rijiju said the NDRF has become one of the most dedicated forces in the country which is being appreciated in India as well as abroad within a short span.The NDRF was constituted in 2006 with eight battalions and at present, it has 12 battalions each consisting of 1,149 personnel. He said the NDRF has gained not only faith but also respect from the people and assured that the government will support the force in all its endeavours. Director General (NDRF) R. K. Pachnanda said so far it has saved more than five million lives. "The NDRF not only saves lives, but also educates people on how to tackle disasters," said Pachnanda, adding it has so far trained over 47 lakh people.