Experts unveil ‘Atmanirbhar Suraksha’ campaign as India progresses towards rapid urbanization

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), V Citizens Action Network (VCAN) – a number one citizen’s group in India, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) – the C20 secretariat, National Federation of Engineers for Electrical Safety (NFE), Savishkar India and several other particular person consultants got here collectively lately to launch ‘Atmanirbhar Suraksha’, a campaign for hearth and electrical security as India progresses swiftly on financial and social improvement within the Amrit Kaal.

Participants and audio system on the launch of “Aatmanirbhar Suraksha” campaign in Mumbai final week

India has made rapid progress in urbanization within the final 20 years and it’s anticipated to realize additional momentum. Several studies counsel that India’s city inhabitants measurement will virtually double between 2018 and 2050. The National Commission on Population in India predicts that near 38.6 p.c of Indians (600 million) will dwell in city areas by 2036. As urbanization advances, consultants within the nation have opined the necessity to strengthen security for its residents particularly hearth security given unintended fires happen attributable to negligence, unplanned structuring of city buildings, amongst different components.

Giving context to the scenario, Mr. Rajeev Sharma, Deputy Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) highlighted, “Data from National Crimes Bureau highlights that within the final decade we misplaced 110,000 lives due to electrocution, which means round 11,000 lives in a yr or 30 lives in a day. We come throughout studies of brief circuit incidents virtually day by day. Lot of harm is brought about to human lives and likewise to the property. We can not enable this to proceed for a very long time, we’ve to supply options. The options should be workable, they usually should be carried out by means of a well-organized mechanism.”

Further strengthening the dialog, Mr. Ajit Kumar Jain, IAS, (Retd.) Former Additional Chief Secretary, Maharashtra and Former State Information Commissioner, stated, “The root trigger of fireplace accidents is because of electrical short-circuits and electrical short-circuit happen largely attributable to poor workmanship and primarily attributable to using sub-standard supplies, compounded with a bent by all of us, as a citizen, to overload {the electrical} system with out understanding the implications.”

“There is a dire have to have convergence between electrical security and hearth security. The convergence shouldn’t be on the grassroot stage (solely) it ought to be on the prime stage additionally,” Mr. Jain added.

Launching the campaign beneath the banner of Civil20 India, Mrs. Indrani Malkani, Chairperson, V Citizens Action Network (VCAN) shared, “We have collectively taken a step additional and determined that slightly than leaving all of the checking to the Fire Departments and Municipal Authorities alone to observe every particular person property, nothing stops us as residents and people to take cost of our personal security. So, with this in thoughts VCAN with the Bureau of Indian Standards, NFE, Savishkar India and RMP has launched the campaign of “Atmanirbhar Suraksha” and determined collectively to take ahead this message within the coming days, and this journey consists of every one among you.”

A key a part of the campaign will likely be to advertise consciousness and the utilization of BIS commonplace compliant merchandise. The requirements are already in place; therefore the main focus of the campaign will likely be to advertise the notice of those requirements among the many public and the advantages of their use. Other initiatives taken by BIS on electrical security will even be highlighted by means of the campaign. The campaign will even spotlight the function of residents and the steps to be taken at a person stage to make sure one personal’s security. This shouldn’t be solely necessary in elevating consciousness for the broader themes of fireplace and electrical security, but additionally promotes the message of “Atmanirbhar Suraksha”.

The campaign was launched in an occasion hosted by VCAN, BIS, NFE, RMP and Savishkar India. The occasion noticed participation and discussions from a number of famend names together with the audio system Mr. Rajeev Sharma Deputy Director General BIS; Mr. S. S. Warick, Director Maharashtra Fire Services; Mr. Hemant Sali, Technical Advisor to Ministry of Roads Highways & Transport, Government of India, for Mumbai Region; Mr. V. Ranganathan, IAS (Retd), Former Chief Secretary, Maharashtra and Trustee, VCAN; Mr. S. Gopa Kumar, President NFE; Mr. Devendra Pai, Chief Academic Officer at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) the Secretariat of Civil20 India (C20); Mr. Krantisagar More, National Convenor Savishkar India; Ms. Preeti Bhatnagar, Head of Electrotechnical division of BIS; Mr. Ritwik Anand, Member Secretary ETD20 BIS. The viewers was addressed by particular invitee Mr. Ajit Kumar Jain, IAS (Retd.) Former Additional Chief Secretary and Former State Information Commissioner.

The discussions had been moderated by Mr. S. Gopa Kumar, President NFE and the general public interplay was performed by Mrs. Indrani Malkani, Chairperson, V Citizens Action Network (VCAN). Other subject material consultants, together with Mr. Ravindra Ambulgekar Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade alongside together with his senior deputies, and trade representatives joined the campaign launch. Mr. Radhakrishnan Pillai, famend writer of Corporate Chanakya; Mr. Bhupen Chheda from Roman Group; and electrical engineers from Taj Group of Hotels had been additionally current amongst others.

In addition to the dialogue, a dwell demonstration {of electrical} parts such as wires, switches, and home equipment was performed for the viewers by NFE representatives to point out the main distinction in high quality and security between BIS licensed merchandise and cheaper uncertified options.

According to accessible public studies, electrical faults are cited as the main reason for fires and have been recognized as the primary motive behind current fires. Past incidents present that almost all hearth accidents happen attributable to three main causes: electrical brief circuits and gasoline cylinder/range bursts, human negligence, and ill-formed habits.

About the organizers

V Citizens Action Network (VCAN)’s goal, as a Societal Organization, is to determine linkages between residents and their authorities, enabling the general public to be Smart and Safe Consumers, and be nicely knowledgeable on how they’ll hold themselves and their households secured. It is a registered not for revenue and non-political public Trust, and was set as much as handle problems with public concern by means of efficient engagement channels like a responsive internet portal, dwell speak exhibits, social networks and motion impacted programmes.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India and develops and publishes Indian Standards. BIS implements Conformity Assessment Schemes, acknowledges and runs laboratories for Conformity Assessment, Implement Hallmarking, and most significantly work for shopper empowerment. BIS additionally conducts capability constructing applications on high quality assurance and represents the nation in ISO & IEC.

National Federation of Engineers for Electrical Safety (NFE) are a bunch of passionate Electrical Engineering professionals working within the discipline of Electrical Safety. Their members have many years of expertise as Electrical Inspectorates, Electrical Designers, Safety Officers, and Engineers within the discipline of Quality and Standards. Their goal is to make Every Consumer and their property free from Electrical Accidents and keep away from failures in Electrical Installation and Connected Equipment.

Savishkar India is ruled by Vidyarthi Kalyan Niyas (VKN) Bhopal, MP. It supplies incubation platforms and internships to those that wish to turn into entrepreneurs. Bringing out expertise, the group encourages your inventive concepts, supplies a wholesome dialogue with trade for the technological and sustainable improvement of India.

Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) the C20 secretariat accountability has been given to Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP), India. Registered as a Society in 1982, RMP was initiated as a novel management improvement academy with an goal to nurture, impart coaching and capability constructing of elected representatives, social staff, as nicely as individuals operating establishments, organizations, and start-ups.