Dinesh In The UNDP: Nilgiris

A precariously perched house in a landslide prone area

On August 11, 2010, Dinesh travelled to the Nilgiris in Tamilnadu to kickstart the UNDP awareness campaign about disaster-preparedness in the local schools there. The Nilgiris district is prone to deadly landslides in several areas that can cause a great deal of death and destruction. He spoke to about 300 students at the St.Joseph's Secondary School and did a PowerPoint Presentation on the role of children in disaster management. The school trains selected students to be members of the Rescue Cadet Corps, and they are taught to assist the Rescue Task Force professionals in the event of a disaster. What a great place then to kickstart the campaign!

Dinesh also gave a PowerPoint presentation to the local government officials on ways to handle the disabled in a disaster. The officials took the kid seriously enough to ask him questions on the subject. Dinesh spoke of his learning experience in the UNDP about disaster management, and took notes of all the recommendations made by the officials to include in his final report to the Commissioner of Revenue Administration (CRA), the top Civil Service official of the Government of Tamilnadu. He was interviewed by the local TV media channels as well, and handled the entire experience with confidence and aplomb. Posted below are a few shots from his trip to the Nilgiris.

Beautiful Nilgiris that has deadly landslides

The mountain city of Coonoor

A roadside shot in Coonoor


The stadium/gymnasium of St. Joseph's Secondary School

St. Joseph's School

With Mr. Franklin, Project Support Officer, and Mr. Prabhu, Project Officer of the UNDP

The UNDP Campaign Banner

A section of the 300 students gathered to listen to Dinesh

Greeted by Mr. Lakshmanan, District Education Officer

Having a conversation with the DEO

The DEO and the Project Officer listening to Dinesh

Another section of the audience (Grades 9 and 11)

Dinesh giving his presentation about how children can make a difference

Talking about Disaster Plans

Listing out emergency supplies

Talking about the importance of staying informed

Reiterating his message

With Vignesh, a student volunteer in the Rescue Task Force

Asking the students a few questions on disaster-preparedness

Thanking the audience

St. Joseph's School Grounds

Relaxing in the Visitors' Lounge

Outside the entrance to the school

UNDP Campaign Banner

Interaction with the government officials

An official asking Dinesh a question

Responding to the questions by the officials

Fielding questions from around the room

Making a point to the officials rapt in attention

Giving his PowerPoint presentation on ways to handle the disabled in disasters

At his confident best

Comfortable body language as he makes a point

Typing in the recommendations to include in his final report

Posing with the organizers

Outside the Revenue Divisional Office

Fielding questions from the local TV media (Dad's favorite shot!)

Answering a reporter's question

Taking a roadside break on the mountains


Boulders placed to stem the flow of mud in a landslide

Prone areas

Walls built to prevent the mud and rocks from sliding on to the roads


Thanking Mr. Franklin, Project Support Officer of the UNDP

Dinesh seems to have had such a wonderful experience participating in the disaster-preparedness campaign of the UNDP. What a unique opportunity for a 14-year old to raise awareness among children his age! I am sure the kid has grown in confidence and learned a great deal from all the valuable experiences he's had this past month. As his day of departure draws near, the husband and I are ecstatic that he's done us proud and we're very eager to have him back home safe and sound!