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A Mass awareness programme on
Lightning Hazards and Safety Measures -Launch seminar and
releasing of Documentary Film
Date: 27 May 2010
Venue: Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram
Report
Launch seminar of Minnalpinar -A Mass awareness programme on
Lightning Hazards and Safety Measures and releasing of
Documentary Film on lightning safety produced by CISSA was held
at Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram on 27 May 2010. Sri. K.P.
Rajendran, Minister for Revenue was inaugurated the seminar.
Sri. R. Selvaraj MLA, Sri. L. Radhakrishnan IAS, Principal
Secretary to Govt., Sri. K. Sivanandan, Director of Fire and
Rescue Services and Dr. K.G. Thara, Head, Disaster Management
Centre spoke on the occasion. Dr. C.S.P. Iyer presided over the
function. The inaugural function was followed by screening of
the documentary.
Sri. K.P. Rajendran Revenue Minister, in his inaugural address
has stated that the State government will exert pressure on
Central government to consider lightning as a natural disaster.
The present rule leads to denial of compensation to victims of
lightning in Kerala. He informed that Government of Kerala has
initiated various steps to face natural calamities. Safety Clubs
will be started in 12,000 Government and aided schools. A safety
cadre will be started in each panchayat to co-ordinate disaster
management activities. A unit of the National Disaster Response
Force will soon be started at Kozhikode. A unit of the State DRF
will be launched at Idukki. The Minister said that it is very
unfortunate that only less than 20% of students know swimming in
a State like Kerala were there are plenty of rivers and ponds.
It is highly necessary to include swimming as a part of the
school curriculum, he said. The Minister commented the efforts
of CISSA in creating awareness among school children on
lightning hazards.
Dr. G.R. Nagabhushana, Emeritus Fellow, Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore delivered the keynote address. Dr. S.
Muralidas and Dr. K.G. Thara, made presentations in the
technical session. Dr. V. Sasikumar moderated the session. It
has been pointed out that safety from lightning is not possible
by erecting Air Terminals alone and that Ring Conductors are
essential for full protection. Surge protection equipments are
required for protecting costly electronic equipments, the
seminar pointed out. It is dangerous to stand underneath tall
trees at the time of lightning. Contact with pipe lines, metal
objects and electronic equipments should be avoided. It was
explained with illustrations that it is necessary to give such
information on lightning safety to public. |
