Kolkata, Aug 10 — The Inter‑Battalion Volleyball Competition of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) began at the headquarters of the 2nd Battalion at Haringhata in Nadia district of West Bengal.
Teams from four battalions across the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, the 1st, 2nd, 9th and 12th Battalions, are participating.
“The high‑energy tournament serves as a platform to display athletic skill, foster camaraderie and promote physical fitness among rescue personnel,” a senior NDRF official of the 2nd Battalion said.
Asim Kumar Sarkar, MLA of Haringhata, attended the opening ceremony along with Manish Ranjan, Commandant of 02 Bn NDRF. The tournament opened with a march past by the contingents, followed by the ceremonial release of white pigeons symbolising peace, harmony and fair competition.
Sarkar commended the NDRF for its selfless dedication, courage and prompt action during crises. He said the force had repeatedly proven itself as the backbone of disaster management in India, whether during floods, cyclones, landslides or urban collapse incidents. He added that their swift deployment, specialised expertise and humanitarian spirit inspire trust nationwide.
Encouraging the athletes, Sarkar urged them to embody discipline, mutual trust and sportsmanship. He also 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.
Ranjan highlighted 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.
Personnel of the 2Bn NDRF have special training in urban disaster management. Recently, they participated in rescue operations at Taratala in Kolkata where an under‑construction godown collapsed. Working round the clock, the rescuers brought out several people alive from under tonnes of mangled steel and concrete.
The battalion received special appreciation from West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari after the operation was completed.