PM's mantra to boost disaster-resilient infra
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday outlined five key global priorities for him to build disaster-resilient infrastructure, including a skilled workforce, a global digital repository to document best practices and innovative financing.
In a video address to the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025, Modi said strengthening early-warning systems and coordination is another crucial aspect. He noted that India has established a tsunami-warning system benefitting 29 countries and that it recognises the Small Island Developing States (SIDA) as large-ocean countries and the need for special attention to their vulnerabilities. With the event being hosted in Europe for the first time, Modi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and extended his best wishes to him for the upcoming United Nations Oceans Conference.
In his remarks, the prime minister noted that the conference's theme is "Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions" and underscored the vulnerability of coastal regions and islands to natural disasters and climate change.
He cited recent disasters, including Cyclone Remal in India and Bangladesh, Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, Typhoon Yagi in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Helene in the United States, Typhoon Usagi in the Philippines and Cyclone Chido in parts of Africa. Modi emphasised that these disasters have caused significant damage to lives and property, reinforcing the need for resilient infrastructure and proactive disaster management.
Recalling India's past experiences with devastating disasters, including the super-cyclone of 1999 and the tsunami of 2004, he highlighted how the country adapted and rebuilt with resilience, constructing cyclone shelters across vulnerable areas and contributing to the establishment of the tsunami-warning system benefitting 29 nations.
Modi said disaster resilience requires innovative financing and called for the creation of actionable programmes to ensure that developing countries have access to the necessary funds. He highlighted the necessity of strengthening early-warning systems and coordination, noting their critical role in facilitating timely decision making and effective last-mile communication.
The prime minister called for the construction of infrastructure that remains steadfast against time and tide, emphasising the need for resilience in development. He called for global efforts to build a strong and disaster-resilient future for the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
40 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Amit Shah to chair 25th Central Zonal Council meeting in Uttar Pradesh tomorrow
New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council on Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Monday. The meeting will be attended by the Chief Ministers of the member states, along with two senior ministers from each state. The Chief Secretaries of the state governments and other senior officials, as well as senior officials from the Central government, will also participate in the meeting. The Central Zonal Council comprises the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The meeting is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government. Under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, five Zonal Councils were established. The Union Home Minister is the chairperson of these five Zonal Councils, and the Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of the member states and Union Territories are their members. Among these members, the Chief Minister of one member state (rotating every year) acts as the vice-chairperson. From each member state, the governor nominates two ministers as members of the council. Each Zonal Council has also formed a permanent committee at the level of the Chief Secretaries. Issues proposed by the states are initially presented to the permanent committee of the concerned Zonal Council for discussion. After consideration by the permanent committee, the remaining issues are then presented to the Zonal Council meeting for further deliberation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the need to leverage cooperative and competitive federalism for the all-round development of the country. With the belief that strong states make a strong nation, the Zonal Councils provide a structured mechanism for dialogue and discussion on issues affecting two or more states or the Centre and states, and through this, serve as an important platform to enhance mutual cooperation. The role of the Zonal Councils is advisory; however, over the past few years, these councils have proven to be an important factor in promoting healthy bonds of mutual understanding and cooperation in various fields. With the cooperation of all state governments, central ministries, and departments, a total of 61 meetings of the various Zonal Councils and their permanent committees have been held in the last eleven years. The Zonal Councils also discuss broad issues of national importance, including the speedy investigation of cases of sexual offenses against women and children and the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) for their swift disposal; providing brick-and-mortar banking facilities within the designated area of every village; implementation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112); and various regional-level common interest issues such as strengthening nutrition, education, health, electricity, urban planning, and the cooperative system. (ANI)
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Second batch of 443 Indians leave from Israel through Jordan, Egypt
The second batch of evacuation of Indian nationals from Israel on Monday (June 23, 2025) saw two groups of 175 and 268 people leave through Israel's border with Jordan and Egypt, taking the total number of Indians taken out of the war-torn country to 603 in two days. The first batch of 160 people left for Jordan on Sunday (June 22, 2025) from where they had boarded the flight today by 2:15 pm local time, an evacuee onboard the flight told PTI before departure. The 443 people who crossed the Israeli border on Monday would be taking two separate flights from Jordan and Egypt arranged by the Ministry of External Affairs in coordination with the Indian missions in those countries. The complex and tightly-coordinated effort between New Delhi and the three missions has brought a huge relief to Indians in Israel constantly grappling with sounds of sirens and frequently taking cover in bunkers and fortified safe rooms from incoming missiles and drones fired from Iran. Sensing the urgency of the situation, the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv had set up a 24x7 Control Room during the past week to oversee all facets of the evacuation effort. The Control Room issued advisories as per the evolving situation, directed Indian nationals to register via an online portal, and managed thousands of phone calls and emails while compiling a detailed database of Indian citizens across Israel. "Evacuation priorities were determined based on medical emergencies, the presence of young children, women, and students. Embassy officials proactively contacted registrants by phone and email to confirm travel details and allocate them to specific evacuation flights,' embassy sources earlier told PTI. The situation on the ground was also being closely monitored at the highest levels of the government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who remained actively engaged receiving real-time updates on the safety and security of the Indian nationals, the sources said. The Government of India announced Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals desiring to return home from war-torn Israel on June 19. "This operation underscores India's unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. Operation Sindhu is yet another testament to India's emergence as a credible 'first responder' in international crises,' a statement from the Indian mission said on Sunday. Indian nationals living in Israel looked particularly shaken by direct strikes in several locations, including Haifa, Ramat Gan, Beersheba, and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot. Fortified safe rooms, located in both private residences and public areas, have become makeshift sanctuaries for people living in the north and south of Israel under the constant threat of missile attacks. The governments of Israel, Jordan and Egypt have extended crucial support in ensuring the safe and orderly transit of Indian nationals across the border. The Embassies of India in Jordan and Egypt have been helping in the evacuation process by receiving the evacuees at the border and facilitating their onward journey to the airport. Operation Sindhu joins the ranks of previous high-profile evacuation missions such as Operation Ganga, Operation Devi Shakti, Operation Kaveri, and Operation Ajay which successfully brought home Indians from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan and Israel respectively. "These efforts reflect not only India's growing global stature but also its operational readiness and deep sense of responsibility toward its diaspora," officials said. "The Government of India continues to accord the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. The government will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Embassy remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance,' they said. The Indian mission in Israel once again reached out to its citizens on Sunday to register in case they still haven't for ongoing updates and assistance. There are over 40,000 Indian nationals in Israel, mainly caregivers, construction workers, students (over 1,000), professionals and others.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Prime Minister's Office Makes Big X Gesture For Congress' Shashi Tharoor
New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor 's opinion piece for a prominent English news website received an unexpected boost on social media after Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's office shared it on X. The article - 'Lessons from Operation Sindoor's global outreach' - published Monday morning by The Hindu. In it Mr Tharoor had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "energy, dynamism and willingness to engage (with other nations)", and called for greater backing for the Prime Minister. The writing accompanying the post was straightforward - "Lok Sabha MP and former Union Minister Dr Shashi Tharoor writes - Lessons from Operation Sindoor's global outreach". However, the fact the PMO shared the article has raised eyebrows even as buzz persists of a high-profile (arguably the highest in recent years) switch from the Congress to the BJP. Much of that buzz has been fuelled by criticism from sections of the Congress' Kerala unit; they have criticised Mr Tharoor over what has been seen as positive comments about PM Modi. That stand-off flared up last week too, after the four-time Thiruvananthapuram MP was absent from campaigning for his party during the Nilambur Assembly bypoll, which the Congress won. Meanwhile, remarks by Mr Tharoor that have riled the Congress include those made in Panama last month, when he praised the Prime Minister for his response to terror strikes. Mr Tharoor's mention of the Modi government's 2016 surgical strikes, in response to the Uri terror attack, invited a pointed 'CC' moment from the Congress, which reminded its senior leader of similar military ops when the party-led United Progressive Alliance was in power. Panama was one of five countries, the others included the United States and Brazil, to which he led a government delegation after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. In fact, news of Mr Tharoor being appointed to lead that delegation prompted a wave of criticism too, with sections of the Congress calling him a 'super spokesperson' for the BJP's 'publicity stunts'. He was also accused of flattering Prime Minister Modi. All of this also fuelled talk of a blockbuster switch to the BJP but Mr Tharoor has steadfastly denied any such talk. Speaking to NDTV last week he again played down any friction with the party, calling such incidents "differences of opinion... with only some elements of leadership". When NDTV asked him how he would define his relationship with the Congress today, Mr Tharoor pointed out he had been loyal to the party and its ideology for the last 16 years. He also pointed out that despite joining a cross-party delegation formed by the government, he remains a member of an opposition party, and that the focus was very much on representing India to the world, and taking the country's message on terrorism to the global community. Mr Tharoor has held meetings with senior Congress figures recently, including Rahul Gandhi, to discuss his future within the party, although no concrete outcomes have been publicised.
