In News:

• In the wake of devastating floods in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, announced the deployment of over a thousand trained MY Bharat Aapda Mitras to aid ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
• The initiative underscores the government’s emphasis on community-based disaster response, leveraging trained youth volunteers to strengthen resilience at the grassroots level.

MY Bharat: An Overview

• MY Bharat is an autonomous body established by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• It operates as a phygital (physical + digital) platform, connecting and mobilising India’s youth (aged 15–29 years) through volunteering, mentorship, experiential learning, and industry networks.
• The platform seeks to provide equitable access to opportunities, enabling youth to contribute to Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

Aapda Mitra Programme under MY Bharat

• The Aapda Mitra programme, implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), provides structured, NDMA-certified disaster response training to youth volunteers.
• Training modules cover:
  • Search and rescue operations
  • First aid and medical response
  • Crowd management
  • Emergency coordination
• These volunteers act as first responders, ensuring the timely supply of food, medicines, and relief material to communities cut off by floods, landslides, or cloudbursts.

Current Mobilisation for Punjab and Himachal Pradesh

• Thousands of Aapda Mitras are being deployed across the flood-hit districts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
• Volunteers will work in coordination with District Magistrates, district administrations, and local authorities to ensure swift rescue and relief.
• Their role will be crucial in reaching remote villages, where connectivity has been disrupted due to floods and landslides.

Significance

• Strengthens community-led disaster resilience.
• Bridges the gap between formal institutions (NDMA, administration) and citizen response efforts.
• Provides a youth-centric model of disaster preparedness, integrating skill development with national service.
• Demonstrates the whole-of-society approach to disaster management by combining government resources, institutional training, and grassroots volunteerism.