On 5 October 2024, to observe International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, KH Learn and Centre for Disaster Management and Manipal Institute of Communication, in collaboration with Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Hospital Administration at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal held a conference and a prize distribution ceremony to raise awareness regarding disaster management and strategies to mitigate such risks at TMA Pai Hall, KMC.

Expanding on the theme “Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future,” the event emphasized that involving the youth is essential to effectively drive the message of disaster risk reduction. The dignitaries underscored that young people, being the future decision-makers, must be actively engaged in shaping a culture of preparedness and resilience.

Dr. Padma Rani, Director of the Manipal Institute of Communication, was the Guest of Honour and delivered a compelling speech that resonated with the audience. She began by highlighting that disasters are unpredictable and can impact anyone, yet they are often met with complacency. People tend to "react" in the heat of the moment, rather than "respond" thoughtfully when disasters occur, which can lead to more harm.

Drawing from her expertise as a media professional, Dr. Padma Rani focused on the power of communication in driving behavioral change. She emphasized that repetition across various media platforms can embed critical messages in people’s minds. By repeatedly seeing or hearing disaster preparedness messages in different formats, individuals are more likely to internalize the information and adjust their behavior, becoming proactive rather than reactive in the face of crises.

In her speech, she proposed that the Centre for Disaster Management collaborate with the Manipal Institute of Communication to develop specialized communication tools that would spread disaster awareness more effectively. She stressed the importance of leveraging audiovisual content, particularly because it resonates with younger audiences who consume digital media frequently.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Padma Rani expressed her optimism about this collaboration, believing that by working together, the Centre for Disaster Management and the Manipal Institute of Communication could create impactful strategies to promote disaster resilience. She concluded by stating her hope that this partnership would lead to tangible contributions toward building a safer, more prepared society.

In the lead-up to the main event, a short-film and poster-making competition was held across all MAHE colleges, centered on the theme “Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future.” MIC made a significant impact with its remarkable performances in both competitions. The short film"Hands of Hope",created by BAMC II students Rekan and team, earned second

place in the short-film competition, a proud achievement that was met with widespread excitement. In the poster-making competition, MIC’s BAMC I students Nadha Sajeer KA, Gopika Ravi, and Iyrene Jorely Riseutshone swept first, and Sthavistha Potti, Karthik Kaushal, and Yadu Krishna secured second prizes. These accomplishments filled the entire MIC community with immense pride and joy.

The event itself became a celebration of MIC’s creativity and excellence. It was graced by key faculty members - Dr. Shubha H.S., Head of BA Program, and Mr. Manikandan C., Assistant Professor at MIC, who attended alongside a large number of students. Dr. Padma Rani, who served as the Guest of Honour for the event, was also present to witness and share in the institute's success.

The collective achievements of MIC not only highlighted the institute’s creative talent but also reinforced its dedication to engaging the youth in meaningful causes, especially in promoting disaster risk reduction. The event marked a proud moment for the MIC community, showcasing its potential to lead future generations towards a more resilient and prepared society.

Harshita Roy, BAMC II

Photograph: Amal, BAMC II