RVTC at Thirukurungudi (Tirune!veti District, Tamil Nadu)

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations Tamil Nadu have been successful in running RVTCs focused
on plumbing. electrical and mechanical sldlls by tapping into CSR funds. Sustained corporate
support by TVS Motor Company has been instrumental in setting up two such RVTCs-one in
Thirukurungudi (Tirunelvefi District} that has been running since 2005 and, the second one in
Padovedu {Tiruvonnomoloi District} that was inaugurated in 2018. The CSR support includes
initial establishment costs, operational expenses, trainer costs and materials.The two Centres also supplement the above core training with computer classes and other
life-skills like Yoga, Spoken English and spiritual classes. Both training facilities ore
well-equipped with leased space (4,000 square feet in Thirukurungudi and 2,000 square feet
in Padavedu), work benches, chairs, tables, writing and display boards, computers, fans,
charts. cut samples of plumbing and electrical materials, and a store of tools.Botches runs for three months each, with sessions running for four hours every day {Monday
-Friday). Trainees in the age group of 18 to 35, travel to the Centre from villages in a 2Q-35
la’n radius from the Centres. Each batch accommodates between 10 and 25 trainees. The
Thirukurungudi Centre has graduated 380 trainees over 19 batches, while the newer Padavedu
Centre has graduated 50 trainees in two batches. Students are given an electrical and
plumbing tool kit at graduation. The detailed curriculum imports both theory and practical
lessons in equal measure over the course of the training. The practical training includes
on-the-job training at a work site.Both Centres report impressive placement figures. Nearly 70% of the trainees have secured
jobs while the rest are self-employed in and around their villages. Trainees have joined companies
like TVS, Able Tech, Kirloskar, Wind farm, and CPCL. A few have secured government
jobs. Average salaries reported are about ₹12,000 per month.Both RVTCs have found that sustained delivery of the programmes, maintaining high quality
and integrity of the training, and achieving maximum employability (whether self-employment
or in companies} are all outcomes that are possible due to the CSR model, where the
entire funding for the training centres is borne by TVS Motors.

Rural youth in Anantapur district have benefited from the three-month residential training in electrical and plumbing trades imparted at the Tadipatri RVTC. More than 150 youth have completed the training since the inception of the Centre in November 2014. Each batch consists of ten trainees who travel to the RVTC from all over the district to

undergo training. The residential component of the training is therefore helpful since youth hailing from as far away as 80 kms from Tadipatri have benefited from the training.

RVTC Tadipatri was set up by the Sri Sathya Sai Trust of Andhra Pradesh following a donation
of ₹78 lakhs by an individual donor. The donation helped the Trust to set up a corpus towards
the RVTC, buy equipment for the training centre and organize infrastructure to get the training
centre off to a start quickly.

Three paid trainers (one full time and two-part time} are tasked with training the youth in all aspects related to electrical and plumbing trades so that at the end of the training, the trainees are well placed to either find jobs for themselves or practice the trade in their own villages. Male candidates from the district who are in the age group of 18-25

years and have passed Class X are eligible to join the training programme. Out of the 150 trainees so far, 90% are self-employed. At the end of the training, such trainees are provided with a Bosch tool kit costing about ~3,500, which is of immense help, especially for starting off their own businesses.

Of the 1 0% who have secured jobs, some are Line Men in their villages, a few work in Tirupati at
a Battery company, some have joined KIA Motors in Penukonda and a couple of trainees work
in Hyderabad. The 90% that are self-employed are running small businesses in their own and
surrounding villages. This is important because one of the aims of such RVTCs is to prevent the
distress flight to cities for jobs, by providing training and means of employment in rural areas.

The Centre reports that trainees who have secured jobs earn in the range of ~1 0,000-20,000 per month while those who are self-employed earn in the range of ~9.000-15,000 per month. The Tadipatri RVTC is able to deliver the training at nearly half the cost of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana rates paid to vendor-training institutes/sites for similar trainings. At less than ~30,000, youth acquire a lifelong skill, and the cost of training (received

free by the trainee} is made up in a mere two months of their career. That most of them are able to stay back in their villages I homes, earn a living, and contribute to the wellbeing of their families and villages adds immeasurable value to the endeavour.

In 2015, the Jammu & Kashmir Armed Police Force invited SSSSO’s Disaster Management Task
Force Team to conduct a two-day Emergency Response and Disaster Management Training Workshop
at its headquarters in Zewan, Srinagar. Held on April 4 and 5, 2015, this unique partnership
saw SSSSO’s DM personnel train 51 members of the Armed Police in rescue and recovery operations
during natural catastrophes like landslides, earthquakes, floods, and storms.
Despite unseasonal rains and flooding in the
River Jhelum, the DM Team members from
Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab
travelled to Zewan and conducted the training
that included classroom sessions as well
as practical exercises focusing on fire,
high-rise, water-related and other emergency
rescue operations.

Police personnel participated wholeheartedly
in the training programme and were
fully engaged in all aspects of the training,
both in-class and in the field practice
sessions that included a river-rescue training
session over the River Jhelum that had
experienced floods.

Disaster Management Training of
Jammu & Kashmir Armed Police Force

Police practicing knots during
the training

The devastating Tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004 has
.. .. been categorized as a ‘mega disaster’ due to the number of casualties and extent of
damage across multiple nations. The damage it caused was unheard of in recent memory of our
country and indeed the world.Services rendered by SSSSO, Tamil Nadu, in the aftermath can be the subject of a book. The Disaster
Management Training that had been initiated in 2002 allowed the State Disaster Management Unit to
respond immediately and perform the urgent and arduous tasks like removing dead bodies, preparing
them for identification and burial, supplying basic needs like food and water to survivors and, cleaning
up areas to prevent further disease. Seva Dal members were the first to report to Nagapattinam and
Velankanni- coastal towns devastated by the Tsunami. Estimates indicate that the SSSSO Teams
cleared more than a thousand bodies, which was an essential first activity in the rescue and recovery
process. The disciplined and dedicated services rendered by the Seva Dais in the face of such a catastrophic
event was much appreciated by the government officials, police, and all agencies involved in
rescue and relief operations. Seva Dal volunteers were the only group allowed by the police into some
sensitive areas for relief and recovery measures- especially where bodies (with jewellery on them) had
to be laid out in a hall for families to claim; or unclaimed bodies had to be buried. That was the extent
of trust and respect that the Seva Dais had earned during relief operations in the aftermath of the
tragedy.Estimates indicate that the SSSSO Teams cleared more than a thousand bodies, which was an essential
first activity in the rescue and recovery process. The disciplined and dedicated services rendered by
the Seva Dais in the face of such a catastrophic event was much appreciated by the government
officials, police, and all agencies involved in rescue and relief operations. Seva Dal volunteers were the
only group allowed by the police into some sensitive areas for relief and recovery measures- especially
where bodies {with jewellery on them} had to be laid out in a hall for families to claim; or unclaimed
bodies had to be buried. That was the extent of trust and respect that the Seva Dais had earned
during relief operations in the aftermath of the tragedy.Sri Sathya Sai Baba had instructed the state unit that in addition to rescue efforts, the team must
work to restore the dignity of the survivors by providing materials to help them rebuild their lives.
As a result, the state unit quickly organized kits that included stoves, kerosene, utensils, and dry
rations. While hundreds of Seva Dais worked on the ground, hundreds more worked in the background
to get relief materials ready for transport to various affected areas. The Tsunami relief operations
undertaken were mammoth and unprecedented in SSSSO.Members of the Tamil Nadu Disaster Management team rightly point out that service rendered by
the trained Seva Dais following the Tsunami cannot be quantified or assessed in terms of a cost-benefit
analysis. There is no measurement tool that can assess the value of removing thousands of dead
bodies and preparing them for burial or cremation; nor can there be an economic value placed on
the high degree of trust and respect earned by the team throughout the state for the level of services
provided. Seva Dais operated out of love and devotion, and indeed, their lives were changed
irrevocably following this mega disaster.

Following the experience with
Tsunami rescue, recovery and
rehabilitation, the Tamil Nadu
Disaster Management team was
charged up sufficiently to plan
for skill training and constant
updating of skills in order to
meet any eventual catastrophes.
Tamil Nadu’s geographic
location leaves it susceptible to
cyclones, storms, and floods.
So, it was imperative that the
team builds a group of trained
Seva Dais who can be deployed
to serve in any type of crises.

Such preparation has resulted in
the team responding to several
other disasters over the years

including the Chennai Floods in
2015, the Kerala Floods in 2018,
and various cyclones including ‘Thane’ and ‘Gaja’. During the Chennai Floods, the team completed
four levels of service provision:

In addition to training the members of its own team, the Disaster Management Team continues to
train college students, paramedical staff, fishermen, forest department, police, fire and rescue
service personnel, CRPF, RPF, Coast Guards, corporate employees, and teachers. The team has
even joined the National Disaster Response Force {NDRF} to offer training programmes at NDRF’s
headquarters in Arakonam.In 2017, the Disaster Management Team from SSSSO participated in a two-day workshop on
National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction {NPDRR) held at New Delhi. The team showcased
unique and improvised rescue methods at the workshop and was appreciated by the participants
and government alike. Following this,
the 55550 Tamil Nadu DM Team was invited by the Government
of Tamil Nadu to conduct a two-day Disaster Management Training to all its first
responders in all the districts of the state.

Between 2002 and 2019, the
Tamil Nadu Disaster Management
team conducted Disaster
Management Awareness training
for over 1,00,000 volunteers
from different institutions and professions.

In 2019, the team had an opportunity to
participate in the Annual Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise
(HADR) in all coastal districts of Tamil Nadu
on the theme of cyclones and urban flooding.
The team was able to share their vast
experience in disaster relief with the other
participants that included the Armed
Forces.

On September 28, 2019, the Commissioner,
Revenue Administration, Chennai, inducted
69 Sai Disaster Management team members
into the State Disaster Response
Guard.

18th September 2011 will perhaps remain etched in the memory of every Sikkimese.lt was the day an
earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck the state. The Sai Disaster Management Team
worked round the clock for a week in restoring normalcy for the victims. The majority of efforts were
in Ungzya, North Sikkim, which had suffered the most damage. The SSSSO OM Team’s major works
included drinking water supply at several populated places, a temporary water supply line in the camp
area, visits to affected areas, supplying of essential commodities, counseling, and conducting mass
prayer sessions.
The state’s experience
with the 2011 earthquake
spurred the OM
Team under SSSSO,
Sikkim, to train large
numbers of Seva Dais in
Disaster Management
so that they are ready
and available for a rapid
response in the event of
disasters not only in
Sikkim but also in the neighboring states.

The DM team conducts about six or seven training programmes annually. As
a result, there is a strong group of 600 trained youth volunteers that can be mobilized to serve
whenever there is a need. Volunteers are spread across six districts.

The DM Team has participated in mock drills conducted by the State Government in partnership
with NDRF on multiple occasions and at various locations. The NDRF has also provided a week –
long training to SSSSO Members at Namchi, South Sikkim.

The trained Seva Dais in the DM Team have had opportunities to serve the citizens in the aftermath
of disasters over the years in their own state, as well as neighboring states. The comprehensive OM
training has contributed to the team’s effective response to different types of disasters, whether
earthquake {in Nepal), floods (West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam) or fire (Sikkim).

On 25th April 2015, when Nepal experienced
a major earthquake measuring 7.9
on the Richter scale, the Sai DM team
quickly got into action and initiated relief
measures focusing on shelter, food, water,
medicine, and clothing. A 42-member DM
Team of SSSSO Sikkim, with four trucks
fully loaded with relief materials worth
~8,00,000 and seven other light vehicles
carrying team members proceeded to
Ramechap on May 1, 2015 with due permission
of the Nepal Government.

Summer is typically a busy season in Uttarakhand due to the influx of travellers from all over India.
Pilgrims make their long-anticipated journey to the famed temples in this part of the country. On
June 16 -17, 2013, right in the middle of this busy pilgrimage schedule, there were heavy rains
accompanied by landslides and severe floods in the pilgrim centers of Kedarnath, Rudraprayag,
Joshi math and Rishikesh. Enormous damage to life and property followed. Several thousand fatalities
were reported. Most of the roads were damaged due to the flooding, and access to the affected
areas was severely curtailed. Communication systems too were hit.

SSSSO, Uttar Pradesh
and Uttarakhand,
responded promptly by
setting up relief camps
near Dehra Dun Airport,
Rishikesh Bus station
and Haridwar Railway
station. Over 1,500
food packets were air
lifted on June 19, 2013
from Jolly Grant Airport
to the Kedar Valley. The
stranded pilgrims were
provided biscuits,
bread, cooked food,
drinking water, medicines,
blankets, and cell
phones to enable them
to call and reassure their
concerned relatives.

Once the evacuation process was streamlined, SSSSO volunteers focused their attention and efforts to aiding villagers
still residing in the affected areas near Chandrapuri (Bhatwari Sunar) which was totally washed off.

Sealed bags containing rice. wheat. sugar. dal. tea. refined oil. biscuits. rusks. candles and
match boxes were provided to the villagers. These bags were often transported, individually, by
the Seva Dal volunteers on foot as there was no direct access to the villages. In addition, the
affected villagers were provided tents, medicines, blankets, clothes, cooking utensils, steel plates
and solar lanterns. A hundred families were served in this round of Seva.

In the second round of Seva in the villages surrounding Bhatwari Sunar, 450 food packets. and dry
ration kits consisting of wheat flour. rice. dal. cooking oil. sugar. tea. salt were distributed to
the households. Twenty-five large tarpaulins were given to aid shelter for those who had lost their
dwellings.

The third and fourth rounds of relief activities covered several villages in the Guptkashi area. Residents
were given 450 solar lights and food packets. Small food packages were prepared, as Seva
Dais had to walk 25-30 kms to reach the distribution point.

The extent of damage due to the floods, and the upheavals to residents’ lives were such that continuous
rehabilitation measures were needed in addition to the immediate relief efforts. Severely
damaged schools and houses had to be rebuilt; villagers needed winter clothing and regular
supply of food items. The state unit helped several families with marriages of their daughters
which had been planned prior to the deluge and flood. Families of the brides were given gift
cheques of ~10,000 each, along with clothing, household items, furniture and blankets.

The relief operations demonstrated that Seva Dal volunteers are required to serve at both endsthose
in the field rescuing and delivering relief materials to the affected and, those in the background
who coordinate, procure, put together and transport the materials to the distribution
points. The entire team has to work in a coordinated and dedicated fashion to achieve the goal of
serving the distressed to the best extent possible and in a timely manner.

The Uttarakhand flood relief operation
also bears testimony to the fact that the
Disaster Management Team’s work does
not end with providing rescue and relief
immediately after the crisis event. Rehabilitation
measures to restore the lives
and livelihoods of the affected continues
to be an ongoing activity well beyond
the event.

On 3rd May 2019, the costal part of Odisha experienced nature’s fury in the form of a devastating
cyclonic storm ‘Fani’, which made its land fall at more than 200 kms/hour near the coastal town of
Puri. The four-hour long storm stranded the people of Puri, Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack to ground
zero and left them with tearful eyes and little hope to rehabilitate themselves. More than 10 lakh
people were impacted due to lack of electricity, food, and communication network. Fani came like
any other cyclone that makes its annual visit to the coastal areas of India, but the enormity of its catastrophic
effect was something which can be explained only by the ones who have experienced it.SSSSO, Odisha, with its Seva Dais and the Disaster Management Team was well prepared for the
pre-informed cyclone and tackled the situation with sincerity and efficiency. They set out in batches
to different parts of the affected areas to survey the ground situation. Bhubaneswar acted as the
headquarters of the State SSSSO and functioned as the nodal center for all preparations. Seva Dal
volunteers worked without rest and sleep to pack the relief materials. From 5th May,
the volunteers
reached more than 5,000 households through different routes, and supplied dry foods and
some basic utilities like flashlights, candles, matchboxes, mosquito repellents and, safe drinking
water to sustain a family for a week.
Due to the impact of the cyclone, the people of Bhubaneswar,
the capital city of Odisha, lacked electricity and water. The Seva Dais reached out to the people
of the city with generators to pump water to the overhead tanks. Even animals and household pets
were taken care of, with volunteers distributing food for them in the affected areas.

More than 10,000 affected villagers and slum dwellers in Puri District were served cooked
food, wherever cooking fadlities were not available.
The food was prepared and served at their
shelters by the Seva Dais with utmost love and care.
Further, 10,000 more were served by supplying
them with adequate rations. Around 2,600 safe drinking water jars were provided to the
households.

The calamity had also left the villages and their surrounding water sources polluted and unhealthy.
The Seva Dal volunteers went in batches taking with them adequate quantity of bleaching powder,
other sanitary items, and cleaning equipment including automated wood cutters to clear the logs
from the blocked roads.

The unhygienic conditions in the aftermath of the cyclone had brought about a fear of an epidemic
outbreak in the affected areas. Keeping this in view, a team consisting of more than 20 doctors,
para-medica Is and Seva Dais with adequate medicines organised medical camps in the villages and
provided medical amenities to the inhabitants.
About 2,000 patients benefited from the medical
camps.