The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Inter-Battalion Volleyball Competition got underway on 10 August at the headquarters of the 2nd Battalion NDRF at Haringhata in Nadia district, West Bengal. Teams from four battalions spanning the eastern and northeastern regions — the 1st, 2nd, 9th, and 12th Battalions — are competing in the multi-day event.

Opening Ceremony Highlights

Asim Kumar Sarkar, MLA of Haringhata, attended the inaugural ceremony alongside Manish Ranjan, Commandant of the 2nd Battalion NDRF. The event opened with a march past by the participating contingents, followed by the ceremonial release of white pigeons — a gesture symbolising peace, harmony, and fair competition.

Sarkar commended the NDRF for its selfless dedication and prompt response during crises, noting that the force has repeatedly proven itself as the backbone of disaster management in India — across floods, cyclones, landslides, and urban collapse incidents. He urged the athletes to embody discipline, mutual trust, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

CBRN Exhibition on Display

On the sidelines of the opening, Sarkar inspected a specialised Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) exhibition set up at the battalion premises. Senior officers briefed him on detector systems, decontamination equipment, and specialised response suites designed to handle technological and industrial emergencies — offering a rare public window into the force's high-readiness capabilities.

Why the Tournament Matters for Operational Readiness

Commandant Ranjan underscored that regular athletic competitions are critical for maintaining physical fitness, mental endurance, and tactical synchronisation required during real-world rescue operations. 'The tournament will continue over the coming days, celebrating athletic excellence while reinforcing unity and operational readiness across the participating battalions,' he said.

A senior NDRF official echoed the sentiment, describing the competition as 'a platform to display athletic skill, foster camaraderie and promote physical fitness among rescue personnel.'

Battalion's Recent Field Record

Personnel of the 2nd Battalion NDRF carry specialised training in urban disaster management. Most recently, they were deployed at Taratala in Kolkata, where an under-construction godown collapsed. Working round the clock, rescuers extracted several survivors from beneath tonnes of mangled steel and concrete. The battalion subsequently received special appreciation from West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari upon completion of the operation.

As the tournament progresses over the coming days, it is expected to deepen inter-unit bonds among rescuers who may one day work side by side in the field.