The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrated its 16th Foundation Day today. A special program was organized on this occasion in New Delhi. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai was the Chief Guest at the programme. While congratulating the personnel and officers of the Force, Nityanand Rai said this day is an occasion to remember the high level of professionalism, strong determination and achievements earned through hard work.It is a result of the efficient working of this Force that loss of life and property due to various disasters in the past years has been brought to a minimum level. He added that realizing the vision of women empowerment, the NDRF also included women who were playing an important role in every disaster, shoulder to shoulder with male colleagues. The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is very concerned about disaster management and the Prime Minister himself with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the concerned State Governments took stock of the level of preparedness to deal with various disasters like cyclones and floods in the country last year and also visited disaster affected areas, which helped the country overcome these disasters. Shri Nityanand Rai also said the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah also reviewed disaster management works and schemes and gave valuable directions to the NDRF from time to time. Under the leadership and guidance of the Union Home Minister, the NDRF conducted international disaster management exercises such as the SCO Joint Exercise 2019 and BIMSTEC 2020, to deal with any kind of disaster with mutual support.Conveying his best wishes on the occasion to the recipients of the President's Medal and other Police Medals, Shri Nityanand Rai, said it is a matter of great pride that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) participated for the first time in the Republic Day Tableau 2020 and secured the first place. The program was attended by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Lt. General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and the NDRF Director General Shri Satya Narayan Pradhan along with senior officials of the Union Government and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).