By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A seminar on “Emerging Trends in Reduction of Natural Disaster in the Northeast” was organized by All India Radio, NES, Shillong at the St Anthony’s College Conference Hall on Tuesday.
At the inaugural function, Editor Dongmusa BP Domes in his address said that the people must be made aware about disaster preparedness especially disasters like earthquake in cities like Shillong with its narrow roads, high-rise buildings beyond municipal areas, the rural areas etc. “The 1897 earthquake was a devastating one followed by a similar one in 1950. We can expect another disaster very soon but my concern is not when but whether we are prepared,” said Domes. He stressed upon the need to form a strong public opinion in order to create awareness.
DDG (E), AIR, Shillong A Bhatnagar said that the media can play an important role in creating awareness about disaster management among the people for which improved technology is required. “In today’s world media is looked more as an entertainment channel and it is praiseworthy to see AIR taking this initiative and addressing the important issues in the northeast,” he said.
Informing that in case of natural disasters, people can do very little, but it has to be seen that most natural disasters in present times are manmade disasters due to garbage, changing eco-system etc.
Sharing the formula that AIR developed after the Bihar flood, he said that information technology and radio when used together makes a perfect match. “This is the age of IT but there are villages in the country where internet has not reached but radio is everywhere,” he said informing further how volunteers helped affected people using this concept during the Bihar flood.
