Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah addresses President's Colour Award Ceremony of NDRF in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

📌 Summary:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the President's Colour Award ceremony of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh on 14 May 2026 as Chief Guest
• The "President's Colour" is the highest honour for a uniformed force; the Minister said it recognises NDRF's 20 years of service and the contributions of SDRFs and the entire machinery from Panchayats to States
• NDRF has saved more than 1.5 lakh lives and evacuated over 9 lakh people during floods, earthquakes, cyclones and other disasters, earning the trust of 140 crore citizens
• The Minister said disaster management has shifted from being relief-oriented and reactive to "preventive and productive"; the goal is now "zero casualty", aided by forecasting and the India Meteorological Department
• He cited the PM's 10-point agenda and a 360-degree approach to disaster risk management, and said the Modi Government is working to reduce heatwave-related deaths to zero
• Capacity building noted: training of over 8,500 personnel, more than 10,000 civil defence workers, over 2.20 lakh volunteers and 10,500 boatmen; CAPF personnel have planted over 7 crore trees for climate action
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and NDRF have established India as a global first responder, reflecting "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — disaster management; institutional evolution from relief-centric to prevention-centric approach; role of NDRF, NDMA and SDRFs and community-based disaster preparedness.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• The President's Colour is the highest honour awarded to a military or uniformed unit
• NDRF completed 20 years since its establishment; it works under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
• NDRF has saved over 1.5 lakh lives and evacuated more than 9 lakh people
• NDMA was constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005

🔑 Key Term: President's Colour — the highest ceremonial honour conferred on a military or uniformed force unit in recognition of exceptional service to the nation.