Odisha govt signs MoU with NIWS Goa to boost coastal safety and lifeguard training, CM inaugurated OSWALI
In a major milestone towards strengthening coastal security, watermanship and emergency response capabilities of Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today inaugurated the Odisha Watermanship and Lifeguard Institute (OSWALI) at Ramchandi near Konark of Puri district.
Bhubaneswar: In a major milestone towards strengthening coastal security, watermanship and emergency response capabilities of Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today inaugurated the Odisha Watermanship and Lifeguard Institute (OSWALI) at Ramchandi near Konark of Puri district.
On this occasion, the CM also laid the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art scuba complex designed to enhance advanced underwater rescue training in the state.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Odisha Tourism Department, Odisha Fire & Emergency Services, and National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) Goa to develop water sports safety standards, conduct professional lifeguard training, build capacity and expand the scope of adventure and coastal tourism in the state.
The event featured a spectacular watermanship show on rescue and life-saving skills, and coastal emergency preparedness by trained personnel of Odisha Fire and Emergency Services.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that the OSWALI Institute will emerge as a dedicated national and international centre for water safety, lifeguard training and coastal resilience and will enhance Odisha’s capacity to deal with the increasing threats posed by natural disasters and climate change.
He stressed that the government is committed to strengthening the fire service, improving the emergency response system and increasing training opportunities for officers and youth.
The Chief Minister said that the disaster management system led by the Fire Department of Odisha has proven its excellence in the country in the last few years. In the last one and a half years, our government has faced two major cyclones. However, we have been able to deal with them successfully.
The training center that has been started here today will train the country’s fire brigade, central paramilitary forces, NDRF and police, security guards and volunteers who are engaged in rescue work during disasters in various states.
Outside the Navy, this is the first institute in the country in this field. Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a national level training center, the CM said.
He further said that using the excellence that our state has achieved in the field of disaster management, we will train other states and central paramilitary forces through this institute. The main objective of this institute is to save lives and property in various disasters, he added.
He said that this Swimming Education & Lifeguard Training Centre has been established at a cost of Rs 12 crore. In the current budget, another Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned to further strengthen the rescue training system. Through this, the foundation stone for this rescue training center was laid today.
The Chief Minister directed the Odisha Police Housing Corporation to expedite the work of this new project.
The Tourism Department will use this center in two ways. First, it will train life guards employed in various tourist attractions, hotels, etc. for the safety of tourists. Second, it will provide facilities for adventurous water sports here.
