A Disaster Management Training Programme was organised by Rotary Club of Kalimpong, in association with Dept. of Management Studies, SMIT, Majitar, Sikkim, at SMIT on 23rd of August 2026. Rotary Clubs of Gangtok and Gangtok South supported the program by being the Co-hosts. Rtn. Dr. Bibeth Sharma, HOD, Dept. of Management Studies, was the liason between the Rotary Club of Kalimpong and the Management of SMIT.
The program was well attended by over 90 participants which included Rotarians of six Rotary Clubs of Zone 8, Mrs Sanju Mangar, Councillor of Majitar panchayat, Ward No. 1 and her team of Panchayat members and the students of the Dept. of Management Studies, SMIT. Dr Asim Kanti Adhikari, District Governor of RI District 3240, had been invited to be the Chief Guest and Dr. Savitha G. Kini, Director of SMIT was the Guest of Honor. Astt. Governor Sheila Rai Fudong and District Disaster Management Co-chair, Rtn Prakash Gupta had also accompanied the Dist. Governor.
Presidents of all six Clubs – Rtn. Dhiresh Thapa from RC Darjeeling, Rtn. Roshni Chettri from RC Darjeeling Himalayas, Rtn. Dr. Noorjahan Khatoon from RC Gangtok, Rtn Gopal Chettri from RC Gangtok South, Rtn Chetan Tewari from RC Kurseong and Rtn Pravin Pradhan from RC Kalimpong, along with some members from their Clubs attended this program.
President of Rotary Club of Kalimpong, Rtn Pravin Pradhan, welcomed all Rotarians and invited guests to the program. He then requested Dist. Governor Sir, Director ma’am, AG ma’am, Councillor ma’am and President of RC Gangtok South to light the traditional diya.
The Training Partner for the day was Ms Aachal Tamang, Program Manager of Anugyalaya Darjeeling Diocese Social Service Society. The session focused on disaster awareness, disaster risk reduction and the role of organisations and communities in disaster preparedness and response. Ms Aachal managed to keep the concentration of the audience with the help of her selected slides and video clips projected on the screen. Her talk was focused on mainly the landslides that occur in the hills, the earthquakes which we experience quite frequently and the flooding due to GLOF in October 2023.
Participants shared experiences relating to disasters, especially flooding due to GLOF and it’s effects on local communities. The exchange of experiences also highlighted the valuable role that Club and Community leaders can play in spreading awareness and supporting communities during emergencies.
The District Governor in his closing remarks appreciated the efforts made by RC Kalimpong to create awareness amongst fellow Rotarians of different Clubs, students of SMIT and the local Panchayat members of Majitar.
By : Rtn Pravin Pradhan,
President of RC Kalimpong.
