Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, “We will ensure children get emotional first aid. Teachers will ask about their well-being and family situation so they feel supported.” The program will continue when schools reopen in the border belt on Tuesday, and authorities will monitor children’s progress.

Recently, teachers from 50 schools attended sessions led by Sanchi Chandna from Delhi and NGO Sanji Sikhyan. The training covered stress management, early counselling, community support, and other activities to help children recover emotionally. Chandna has over ten years of experience leading learning programs in conflict zones.

Assistant Commissioner Piyusha Bhardak highlighted that natural disasters affect mental health deeply. The initiative, under “Sanja Uparala,” will help teachers make children feel safe, confident, and stable.

Teacher Aarti said, “Every child displaced by the floods will feel the impact. Emotional aid can restore a sense of safety and routine, depending on the child’s age and personality.”

The post Punjab Teachers Trained to Heal Children’s Flood Trauma appeared first on India Podcast.

Dr. Singh highlighted the government’s efforts to address the crisis. The state launched Mission Chardi Kala, a platform for transparent contributions towards flood relief. Dr. Singh personally donated Rs 1.25 lakh from his salary to the Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund and another Rs 1.25 lakh to Mission Chardi Kala. He assured the public that every rupee donated would be used honestly.

The Health Department continues to respond despite the Rs 780 crore damage to infrastructure. Dr. Singh mentioned that 848 medical teams worked tirelessly during the floods. They set up health camps, reaching 1.42 lakh people, and provided free medicines.

Additionally, the department protected 92 lakh homes from diseases like dengue and cholera.

Dr. Singh urged the medical community, social organizations, traders, and all Punjabis to contribute. Their support will help rebuild homes, restore businesses, and provide fodder for livestock. Donations can be made via the state government’s official portal.

The post Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh Highlights Post-Flood Health Crisis appeared first on India Podcast.

During a review meeting with state officials in Shimla, PM Modi said the Centre stands firmly with the people of Himachal at this hour of crisis. He emphasized that the financial assistance would be released in phases to ensure effective use for restoring damaged infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods.

According to preliminary state government estimates, over 200 people have lost their lives in the disaster, while thousands have been displaced. Key sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, roads, and tourism have suffered significant losses. Large stretches of highways remain blocked, hampering connectivity to remote areas.

The relief package will cover rebuilding of critical road networks, repair of bridges, restoration of power supply, and assistance to families who lost homes. Special focus will also be given to farmers and apple growers, who are among the worst-affected communities.

PM Modi directed central agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO), to work in close coordination with the Himachal government. He also stressed the need for long-term disaster preparedness, including early warning systems and slope stabilization projects to mitigate future risks.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu thanked the Prime Minister for the prompt support, saying the aid would provide much-needed relief to the people and accelerate recovery. With the festive season approaching, the state hopes to restore normalcy at the earliest.

The post PM Modi Himachal Relief: ₹1,500-Crore Aid for Flood-Hit State appeared first on India Podcast.

The MLA refuted BBMB’s claim that this year’s monsoon brought unprecedented rainfall, arguing that the board’s failure to release surplus water from the previous season worsened the disaster. “This was a foreseeable and avoidable situation,” he stated.

Rana Inder Partap Singh has called for an all-party meeting to fix accountability and create a proactive disaster management plan. “Political parties must come together to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of Punjab’s people,” he said.

He also highlighted the lack of timely flood control measures in his constituency. “Farmers are suffering, and we are still waiting for intervention,” he added. The MLA urged both state and central governments to reform the BBMB and ensure better accountability moving forward.

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