Saturday, Jan 24, 2026 22:30 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Jan 23, 2026 16:52 [IST]
GANGTOK,: The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), in the institutional category, and Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke, in the individual category, have been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 for their excellent work in Disaster Management.
A PIB press release informs that the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instituted an annual award known as the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organizations in India in the field of disaster management. The award is announced every year on the 23rd January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Under the guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, the country has significantly improved its disaster management practices, preparedness, mitigation and response mechanisms resulting in significant reduction in mortalities during natural disasters.
For the award of year 2026, nominations were solicited from 1st May, 2025 onwards. The awards for the year 2026 were given wide publicity through print, electronic and social media. In response, 271 nominations were received from institutions and individuals, the PIB release mentions.
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), established in 2005, has significantly strengthened disaster preparedness and response in Sikkim by deploying 1,185 trained Aapda Mitras as Disaster Management officials in three tiers – Disaster Management Assistants at village level, Disaster Management Supervisors at block headquarters, and Disaster Management Coordinators at district headquarters.
Disaster Management Assistants are posted in all Gram Panchayats. It has led to participatory planning, capacity-building initiatives, and Panchayat-level committees which have enhanced resilience to disasters and climate risks across all six districts.
During critical events such as the 2016 Mantam landslide and the 2023 Teesta floods, SSDMA’s real-time coordination and trained first responders enabled the rescue of 2,563 people and reduced loss of life and damage. SSDMA has institutionalized a proactive, community-centred disaster risk reduction approach through Aapda Mitra, with a strong focus on early warning, preparedness, and local capacity building, the PIB release mentions.
In a media statement, the SSDMA has expressed its gratitude on being conferred the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026, an honour that reflects the collective commitment of the State of Sikkim towards strengthening disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.
On this proud occasion, SSDMA expresses its sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, for their continued support, encouragement, and faith in SSDMA, said the SSDMA.
The SSDMA also recorded its deepest appreciation and profound gratitude to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, also the chairman of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, for his exceptional leadership, constant guidance, and unwavering commitment to disaster resilience in the State. His proactive vision, strategic direction, and personal emphasis on preparedness, community participation, and institutional strengthening have been the cornerstone in shaping SSDMA into a responsive, resilient, and nationally recognised disaster management institution, said the State organisation.
The SSDMA also thanked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which have played a pivotal role in strengthening disaster management planning, capacity building, and implementation mechanisms in Sikkim. The authority further recorded its sincere appreciation for the exemplary role played by the six District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) of Sikkim for their sustained efforts in training, preparedness, capacity building, and the establishment of efficient and effective response mechanisms, which have significantly strengthened disaster risk reduction and response at the grassroots level across the State.
The authority also acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), line departments, and all stakeholders including training institutions, whose coordinated efforts, technical expertise, and continuous support have greatly enhanced disaster preparedness, response, and capacity-building initiatives in Sikkim.
“SSDMA dedicates this prestigious national recognition to the Civil Defence, Non-Governmental Organisations, Quick Response Teams, frontline responders, Aapda Mitras, and above all, the people of Sikkim, whose resilience, cooperation, discipline, and collective spirit continue to strengthen disaster resilience and safety across the State,” said the SSDMA.
