Youth volunteer force is ready for action

Thiruvananthapuram: The passing out parade of the first batch of Kerala Voluntary Youth Action Force (KVYAF) was held at Thycaud police ground here on Saturday. Launched by the state youth welfare board which was inspired by the rescue operations and relief activities performed by the young generation when a flood devastated the state last year, KVYAF aims to give effective training to members and make use of the services whenever a natural calamity occurs.
As many as 1,000 trained youngsters, aged between 16 to 30 years, in red and black uniform took part in the passing out parade after obtaining preliminary training.

Kadakampally Surendran who inaugurated the programme said that the objective of KVYAF was to groom a young action force to take part in a rescue mission under any circumstances. The minister suggested that the services of the force should be utilised at various fields such as environmental protection, water conservation, waste disposal, palliative activities and road protection in addition to disaster management.

Fire & rescue services director-general A Hemachandran was the chief guest of the event, which was presided over by P Biju, vice-chairman of state youth welfare board. Certificates were distributed to volunteers by minister Kadakampally Surendran. tnn