Are Civil Defence Programmes available in India anymore?

[mehulkamdar]

Many years ago, anyone who wished to could volunteer to participate in Civil Defence training in India and the various police and military authorities would give you a nice talk about a range of subjects which would be followed up with shooting 22s and 303s at a range. I just recalled this talking to a friend in the US -I didn;t undergo the training myself as I was not 18 when I last saw it offered though I was a member at the MRC and didn;t need to worry about shooting etc.

I wonder if this is still offeredd, though...

Anyone know?

[Pran]

Mehul,
Karnataka State Rifle Association offers civilian rifle/pistol training.It's a seven day course in which 10 rounds of .22lr are provided in a day.Guess it's a prerequisite for joining KSRA.
Not very popular because one has to obtain a Police Verification Certificate(PVC) from the commissioner's office which costs INR 3000.Students are given a PVC on payment of INR 50 and submission of a bonafide certificate from their school/college(lucky me ).The course itself costs INR 1000 which is not inclusive of the ammo.

Pran

[mehulkamdar]

Thanks, Pran,

This information evokes mixed feelings in me. I am happy that this programme is still available for anyone who feels interested in defending his country. What I am not happy about is the fact that people have to pay to participate in it. In the 70s it was free.

If NCC cadets could be trained to shoot free of cost, I fail to see why the government should charge patriotic adults to learnt to shoot when all they are doing is learning skills which would serve them when they serve the country in an emergency.

We do know that people from the government keep a watch on our forums. I do hope that they would see some merit in helping patriotic Indians get training in civil defence without charging them when they visit these forums next.

Best wishes and thanks again!

[Risala]

Dont know about the civil defence programme's,but if one is looking for some thrills,excitement and the joy of wearing a uniform,the Territorial Army (TA) is always there.
Serve a couple of weeks each year,and enjoy some of the benefits availale.There is a min period of service though,no of yrs currently am not sure.
Best
Sanjay

[piyushpdsingh]

Mehul,
As far as bihar is concerned Civil defence has largely become inactive in the last 10-15 years.It is now only it is becoming active but that only in some area's(it is divided in wards in a city,which are cotrolled by District Magistrate).I have heard that they had .22 Brno rifles which were later sold.I am trying to make it active in my Ward.

Many years ago, anyone who wished to could volunteer to participate in Civil Defence training in India and the various police and military authorities would give you a nice talk about a range of subjects which would be followed up with shooting 22s and 303s at a range. I just recalled this talking to a friend in the US -I didn;t undergo the training myself as I was not 18 when I last saw it offered though I was a member at the MRC and didn;t need to worry about shooting etc.

I wonder if this is still offeredd, though...

Anyone know?

[mehulkamdar]

Sanjay,

Do post information about your TA experience if any here with information for anyone who might want to join. The only information that I got by googling was at: http://indianarmy.nic.in/arta2.htm and only snail mail addresses, no e-mail.

Piyush,

Hat's off to you for working on this. Patriotic Indians in Bihar should not be denied the opportunity of serving the country on a voluntary basis. Very best wishes to you and please do post about your experiences in organising this over here.

Cheers!

[Olly]

I am associated with the Civil Defence since I was 16. My last rank was Dy. Post Warden. Delhi Civil Defence comes under the Directorate of Civil Defence and Home Guards, under Delhi Administration and is headed by an IPS officer. It is a uniformed voluntary service. I've done Wireless, Fire, Rescue and First Aid trainings from them. There has never been any mention of weapon (gun ) training ! I did my weapon's course in the NCC (Senior Division).

I believe that the trainings I received after joining Civil Defence at a very early age, enabled me to act quickly and decisively at demanding situations and earn several gallantry awards (the highest amongst them, being from the President of India in 1988). I feel that such trainings (INCLUDING a Weapons course) should be part and parcel of every citizen's life and the earlier the better. One gets prepared to handle emergencies and act responsibly.

Ofcourse, the TA is another option which gives full army privileges during 'embodyment' which is 2 months every year. Guys are chosen based on their qualifications and experience and should be 'gainfully employed' and 'able-bodied'. It is great fun, to say the least, and ofcourse the rank is there to wear !!

[mundaire]

Anupam,

Civil defence training without any firearms course??!!

Why? Do they not trust the volunteers? Or is there some other (less sinister) reason behind this?

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Risala]

Sanjay,

Do post information about your TA experience if any here with information for anyone who might want to join. The only information that I got by googling was at: http://indianarmy.nic.in/arta2.htm and only snail mail addresses, no e-mail.


Cheers!

Mehul,

I served as a regular,not as part of TA which is partime, a couple of weeks each yr.
If any of the members are intrested,can find out and post the info.

Sanjay

[mehulkamdar]

Anupam,

Do the Civil Defence programmes have different modules in different parts of India? I do remember the Civil Defence guys coming to shoot at the MAdras RIfle Club in the late 70s and early 80s and as Pran has posted, KArnataka still has the programme but that it charges for it.

Just curious...

Sanjay,

Do get the TA details whenever you have time and post them here. I am sure that there would be quite a few people interested. I do get dozens of PMs on Orkut asking me how someone could get inot shooting etc - for those who do not have access to a rifle club etc, this could be a suggestion to offer.


Cheers!

[Risala]

..

Sanjay,

Do get the TA details whenever you have time and post them here. I am sure that there would be quite a few people interested. I do get dozens of PMs on Orkut asking me how someone could get inot shooting etc - for those who do not have access to a rifle club etc, this could be a suggestion to offer.


Cheers!

Will get the details in the next couple of days and post them.

Thanks

Sanjay

[Mack The Knife]

Hi Mehul,

What we have at KSRA is merely a marksmanship/target shooting programme. Other than that there really is no emphasis on self defence. At present they are also using this as a screening process for those who wish to join KSRA.

Mack The Knife

[Olly]

To the best of my knowledge the Delhi Civil Defence does not have any kind of shooting facilities or tie-ups with clubs etc. Incidently, my father too was associated with this organisation as the Divisional Warden (the highest post a volunteer can achieve in Civil Defence); and still I have never heard any mention of firearms training etc.

I don't think it is a matter of trust, rather it is lack of facilities.... All volunteers have to undergo a police check for their antecedents before enrollment and they are in touch with the police department regularly as all duties of maintaining law and order, helping in emergencies etc. are conducted / regulated by the police officers. The Asst. Commissioner of Police of a sub-division is the Zonal Controller and the Dy. Commissioner of Police of a District is the Group Controller of Civil Defence. Also, being a uniformed force (the emblem carries the Ashoka on the cap) it is really not about trusting the guys ....

[Olly]

Mehul,
I am aware only of the Delhi Civil Defence programmes.... Yes, advanced courses like fire-fighting, rescue etc. are conducted in other states with specialised facilities, like Nagpur for fire...

[mehulkamdar]

Mack The Knife,

Civil Defence is not about Self Defence - rather a way of training volunteers to support the police and army in an emergency.

Anupam,

I still find it surprising that in the national capital there are problems with finding a suitable rifle range for the Civil Defence folks.

Sanjay,

Thanks in advance.