Deputy Commissioner Patiala Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal said that providing timely first aid to an injured or distressed person during an emergency is one of the greatest humanitarian services. He was addressing teachers who completed the Civil Defence and First Aid training programme organized by the District Red Cross Society under the Chetna Project.
Addressing the first batch of trained teachers at Government Mahindra College here today, the Deputy Commissioner urged them to keep the spirit of saving lives alive and emphasized that basic knowledge of First Aid and Civil Defence can save precious lives. He said every citizen should be equipped with these essential life-saving skills.
Dr. Aggarwal said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is making concerted efforts to equip students with practical skills through the Punjab Sikhiya Kranti initiative. Similarly, under the Chetna Project in Patiala district, students will be imparted First Aid training and awarded certificates.
Appreciating the commitment of the trained teachers, Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal said they would now serve as Master Trainers in their respective schools and should strive to impart Civil Defence and First Aid training to the maximum number of students. Congratulating them on completing the training, he said creating awareness among young people about emergency response, disaster preparedness and first aid would help build a safer and more resilient society.
The Deputy Commissioner also appreciated the efforts of the District Red Cross Society in organizing the training programme and said such capacity-building initiatives play a significant role in strengthening disaster preparedness. He encouraged educational institutions to actively participate in similar programmes in the future. Welcoming the Deputy Commissioner, Secretary, District Red Cross Society, Dr. Pritpal Singh said that around 190 teachers from across the district would be trained in Civil Defence and First Aid in a phased manner under the programme.
Among those present on the occasion were Deputy DEO Dr. Ravinderpal Singh, Jaspal Singh, Ranjit Singh Mann, Dharmapal Singh, Nodal Officer, Home Guards Mohandeep Singh, Chief Warden, Civil Defence K.S. Sekhon, Gurkirat Singh, Paramjit Singh Badashpur, Kulwant Dhiman, Suresh Chandra Makkar, Karnail Singh, Bhavuk Sharma, Pritpal Sodhi, Advocate Krishan Kumar and other Civil Defence wardens.