The Odisha government has decided to include disaster and pandemic management in high school and college curriculum.

A resolution in this regard was passed at the meeting of the council of ministers, chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday.

The state will also educate its employees about the fundamental nature of different kinds of disasters and pandemic management.

“Knowledge about disaster and pandemic management will also be mandatory for government jobs. The role of our elected representatives changes significantly during the time of distress. From ward members to chief minister everyone will be trained on disaster and pandemic management,” Naveen said in the meeting.

Every student, elected representative, government official and Mission Shakti members will be trained in disaster and pandemic preparedness.

“Odisha will stand out in saving peoples lives. It flows from our realisation that community preparedness is the key to disaster management,” he said.

He said: “The world has changed its perception about Odisha’s ability to deal with disasters in the course of the last two decades. There was a time when we evoked pity. Today, the Odisha model of disaster management draws global admiration.”

He said Covid-19 has created a new reality for the people and Odisha model of disaster management is now recognised the world over for its efficiency and humane approach.

“Unlike a cyclone that comes and goes, the pandemic has brought in two new dimensions of human crisis. One is the inability to put a timeline as to when the crisis will move on. The second is the way the crisis may assume new and unexpected forms. The time has come for us to create a massive knowledge infrastructure in the state that will make everyone a warrior”.

Chief minister also announced that the state will train members of Mission Shakti groups, Vana Surakya Samitis, and other community based organisations and equip them with the knowledge required to manage disasters and pandemics.

“Basically the objective is to have a Yodha in every home of Odisha,” Naveen said.

The council of ministers has resolved to undertake systematic and detailed training programme to equip the citizens with adequate knowledge and skills in disaster and pandemic management and make Odisha a leading state in disaster preparedness - ready to tackle any disaster whether its biological or climatic.

“A task force will be formed to carry forward this mission of building a disaster and pandemic resilient Odisha. This will be our biggest preparation for future emergencies,” Naveen said.

On Sunday, chief minister’s office tweeted how Odisha’s disaster management has received a global acknowledgement from United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

“Odisha’s disaster management model has received global acclaim again as @UNDRRChief Mami Mizutori lauded CM@Naveen_Odisha’s leadership towards creating a world-class mechanism & framework to mitigate natural disasters.”