12. Education and Outreach Programs

CSIR-NGRI along with various national agencies is involved in outreach activities to sensitize the general public to build a seismic resilient society. Gupta H.K., et al. (2020) opined that scenario-based research is important for disaster preparedness of the country, involving historical data of earthquakes superimposed on the current data pertaining to infrastructure, population, etc., for a Seismic Zone V. Such exercises carried out in NE India successfully raised awareness among the general public, and more importantly, among the various responders, streamlined the techniques and procedures of a diverse set of agencies – from administrative, to technical, including disaster response forces, fire-fighters, hospitals, etc. (Fig.18). All the concerned agencies successfully performed the mega mock exercises. This underscores that if the mitigation and preparedness measures are adequate, the impact of any great earthquake can be contained.
    CSIR-NGRI is conducting various outreach activities in seismology by inviting students to the Institute, conducting webinars for students and general public, distributing booklets in different languages, and visiting different schools in different parts of the country to spread awareness about earthquakes, earthquake risks and precautions. In the last three years, CSIR-NGRI has reached around 20,000 students and general public through these outreach activities. CSIR-NGRI has also conducted 6 training courses (online and offline) in seismology during 2019-2022. These courses were attended by nearly 250 participants. Fig.19 shows participation of school children in one such event.