Lt Colonel Gaurav Bali, a big shot army dude and total boss, spilled the beans on the recent national civil defence drill that went down on May 7. This was the first time something like this happened since way back in 1971 during the India-Pakistan war. With all his military know-how, Lt Col Bali shared some thoughts on why it’s important to be ready for anything, how regular civilians can step up in a crisis, and the specific issues Mumbai deals with when it comes to getting ready for emergencies. Here’s the lowdown from their chat.
Q: So, like, the national civil defence drill happened for the first time since the 1971 war on May 7. Is it just a simple practice run or is there something more serious going on?
Lt Col Gaurav Bali (retd): Being prepared is always better than being caught off guard, you know? This drill was a smart move by the government to train regular folks to handle emergencies. Every civilian out there has a bit of a soldier vibe in them.
Q: Was this all about disaster prep or was there a more serious angle to it?
Bali: The drill, called Operation Abhyas, was all about teaching volunteers and emergency response teams how to deal with disasters and crisis situations.
Q: How can us regular people be better prepared for emergencies?
Bali: Let’s start by getting schools, colleges, companies, and even neighborhood associations involved. Do regular drills, get creative with spreading the word through plays and movies. We need to make being prepared a normal thing, like they do in Japan or Israel.
Q: So, there were blackout drills as part of this. How do blackouts help during attacks?
Bali: Blackouts help keep us safe during aerial strikes by making it harder for enemy aircraft to spot their targets. Turn off the lights, close the curtains, and create total darkness.
Q: What are the specific challenges that Mumbai faces during these drills?
Bali: Mumbai is always on the move. The high population density, tall buildings, crazy traffic, and the fact that it’s right by the coast make coordination a real challenge. Plus, not many people are aware of what to do and we need different agencies to work together smoothly.
Q: How can a happening city like Mumbai be ready for disasters?
Bali: The drill we did, Operation Abhyas, was a good start. Even with the rain, 18 agencies came together and did their thing. There needs to be a central command, usually led by the district collector, with each agency having a specific role, from handling traffic to providing medical help to dealing with the media. Knowing the standard operating procedures is key.
So, like, there you have it. The drill wasn’t just a casual thing—it was serious business. It’s all about making sure everyone knows what to do when things go haywire. Stay safe out there, folks!
