Rescue Personnel Showcase Athletic Skills at Nadia Volleyball Event

On August 10, the National Disaster Response Force held its inter‑battalion volleyball tournament at the 2nd Battalion’s main office in Haringhata, Nadia district, West Bengal. Four battalions – the 1st, 2nd, 9th and 12th – representing the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, entered teams into the competition. A senior NDRF officer explained that the high‑energy tournament provides a stage for rescue workers to demonstrate athletic prowess, nurture brotherhood and encourage physical fitness. The opening ceremony featured a march‑past and the release of white doves, symbolising peace, harmony and fair competition. MLA Asim Kumar Sarma and battalion commander Manish Ranjan participated in the inauguration, commending the force’s self‑less dedication during emergencies such as floods, cyclones, landslides and urban building collapses. The officials urged athletes to practice discipline, trust and sportsmanship, and they inspected a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) exhibit set up on the battalion grounds. Senior officers briefed the guests on detector systems, decontamination tools and specialized response suits designed for technical and industrial crises. Commander Ranjan emphasized that regular sports contests are essential to keep rescue teams physically fit, mentally resilient and tactically coordinated for real‑world operations. He announced that the tournament will continue in the coming days, celebrating athletic excellence while strengthening unity and operational readiness among the participating battalions. The 2nd Battalion, which recently received specialized urban disaster training, played a pivotal role in a recent rescue at Taratala, Kolkata, where they saved numerous people trapped under a collapsed warehouse after a 24‑hour effort, earning accolades from the state’s chief minister.