Munish Sood
Mandi
In a proud moment for Mandi district, students from Government Boys Senior Secondary School have secured second place at the state-level Safe Construction Model Competition under the Samarth–2025 Programme, organised by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).
Held at the Science Museum in Shoghi (Shimla), the competition brought together top student teams from across Himachal Pradesh. The Mandi team’s model stood out for its innovation, practicality, and relevance to disaster preparedness.
Disaster-Proof City: A Vision for Safer Communities
Designed by students Ansh Thakur and Rishabh Thakur, the award-winning model titled Disaster-Proof City showcased advanced solutions for minimizing damage during natural calamities. Key features included:
- A cloudburst alert device
- A rockfall warning system for hill roads
- An automatic dam gate mechanism
- An uplifting bridge
- Earthquake-resistant housing prototypes
The model was praised for integrating technology with urban planning to promote resilient infrastructure in vulnerable mountain regions.
From Block-Level Triumph to State Recognition
The students began their journey by winning the block-level competition at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Mandi. They then clinched first place at the district-level event organized by the DRDO Office, Mandi, before advancing to the state-level finals.
Honoured on International Disaster Risk Reduction Day
On October 14, 2025, Ansh and Rishabh were felicitated at Shimla’s historic Ridge Ground during the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction celebrations. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Shri Anirudh Thakur presented them with a cash prize of ₹7,500, a memento, certificate, and citation for their outstanding contribution.
Fostering Innovation and Awareness
The competition aimed to raise public awareness about disaster risk reduction and encourage safe construction practices among youth. It also promoted the integration of scientific learning with social responsibility in schools.
A Moment of Pride for Mandi
School Principal Smt. Jai Shri Kapoor congratulated the students and their mentor, Physics Lecturer Shri Hemant Kumar, for bringing glory to the school and district.
“This remarkable achievement shows how innovation and awareness can go hand in hand in building a safer future,” she said.
The success of these young innovators reflects a growing consciousness among Himachal’s youth about disaster resilience and the need for forward-thinking infrastructure in hazard-prone regions.
