DISASTER MANAGEMENT- A TERM WITH MANY MEANINGS, CONNOTATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

There can be hardly another term as vast and far flung as Disaster management. Why not call it Danger Management, for example? Can danger, or disaster be qualified and quantified? If not, how can it be managed? This is an open-ended question and a loaded one indeed.

Today, we actually have NBC and a whole ministry under the term ‘Disaster Management’. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India, is the apex body for Disaster Management in India. Setting up of NDMA and the creation of enabling an environment for institutional mechanisms at the State and District levels is mandated by the National Disaster Management Act, 2005. NDMA is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management. India envisions the development of an ethos of Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Response.

So, what does this body actually aim to do? The Indian government strives to promote a national resolve to mitigate the damage and destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters, through sustained and collective efforts of all Government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and People’s participation. This is planned to be accomplished by adopting a Technology-Driven, Pro-Active, Multi-Hazard and Multi-Sectoral strategy for building a Safer, Disaster Resilient and Dynamic India.

AS ESSENTIALLY AN ESCAPE OR EGRESS FACILITATING COMPANY IS PROLITE AUTOGLO LIMITED A DISASTER MANAGEMENT COMPANY OR NOT?

When Prolite Autoglo was born, we just thought of basic lights and basic signs- that was more than 3 decades ago. When signs were terse and simple like ‘Keep off the grass’ or ‘Beware of Dogs’. Emergency lights meant when the power failed, the lights came on-THAT’S IT.

Prolite’s role today has changed phenomenally. No other company can claim the sheer numbers, types and variety of signages that we manufacture and supply. From photoluminescent to ordinary from small to large in materials like metal, acrylic, wood, paper- you name it. Our emergency lights too have grown with the time and kept abreast with highest global standards. Also, we have innovated and adapted to suit the latest needs and requirements to make us all safer and keep us all safer. Covid has necessitated a whole new signage range and we have burnt midnight oil to come to terms with this new challenge. Today, Covid safety signages suited to different locations and requirements are essential to arrest and stop the virus from spreading. We are already manufacturing these and supplying to restaurants, housing bodies, hospitals, clinics etc.

We were never essentially a disaster management company but today, we may be fast moving in the direction of becoming one.