Need to strengthen early-warning systems & enhance understanding of natural safety mechanisms: Guv

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

Governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh emphasised that instead of post-disaster assessment alone, there is a need to strengthen early-warning systems and enhance understanding of natural safety mechanisms. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the World Summit on Disaster Management (WSDM 2025) organised by Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST). Various sessions focused on innovation, inclusion and disaster management were held on the third and final day of the event here on Sunday.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said that the WSDM 2025 was not merely an event but a movement dedicated to disaster management and service to humanity. He added that the solutions to disasters lie in political will, innovation, artificial intelligence and the balanced use of modern technologies. He described disaster management as the science of balance and stability.

On this occasion, he also presented the Young Scientist Awards to the winners of the Science Conference. Additionally, he honoured the winners selected from 95 blocks across the State who advanced to the Premier League.

UCOST director general Durgesh Pant shared the key achievements and recommendations from the three-day event. He informed the gathering that November 28 has been declared ‘Silkyara Vijay Diwas’ by the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He also read out the Dehradun Declaration of the World Summit on Disaster Management.

Addressing the gathering, Padma Bhushan awardee environmentalist Anil Prakash Joshi suggested that data from the past decade on climate change must be studied.

Pauri tops State-level S&T Premier League

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) successfully organised the first-ever Science and Technology Premier League at the state level, aiming to promote scientific temperament, innovation, and technological competence among students. Selected teams from all 13 districts of Uttarakhand enthusiastically participated in this competition.

The league began at the school level, followed by competitions at the block and district levels, after which the shortlisted teams showcased their talent on the state platform. The competition featured seven different rounds, covering themes related to science, technology, innovation, research and problem-solving.

The Pauri district team secured the first position. The team—comprising Ganesh, Aditya, Mohit, and Aashish—excelled across all stages of the event. The Champawat district team secured the second position, with Yuvraj, Gargi, Sachin and Nikita impressing the jury with their skills. The Rudraprayag district team clinched the third position, represented by Mohit Kumar, Sneha, Sapna and Dikshant.