New Delhi: Lieutenant Colonel Sita Ashok Shelke has been selected for the prestigious Subhas Chandra Bose National Award for Disaster Management 2026, in recognition of her exemplary leadership and contributions to disaster relief and response in India.
This honour highlights her tireless efforts in planning, coordinating, and executing disaster management operations across the country.
The award, announced annually on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, celebrates individuals and institutions making outstanding contributions to disaster preparedness, mitigation, and resilience.
What Is the Subhas Chandra Bose National Award for Disaster Management?
The Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, also known as the Subhas Chandra Bose National Award for Disaster Management, is a national award instituted by the Government of India to recognise exemplary contributions in disaster management.
The award is presented annually on January 23, the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It honours both individuals and institutions whose work significantly strengthens disaster preparedness, response, and risk reduction across the country.
Recipients receive national recognition, a certificate of merit, and a cash prize as part of the award. The honour underscores India’s growing commitment to disaster risk reduction and the importance of resilient systems at all levels of society.
Who is Lieutenant Colonel Sita Ashok Shelke
She is a commissioned officer in the Indian Army with a strong academic and professional background.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, which has played a key role in her technical and operational excellence during disaster response missions.
Over the years, she has undergone advanced military training in leadership, engineering operations, and humanitarian assistance.
She was selected in the individual category for the award due to her outstanding service in disaster management. Her work mainly focuses on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, and building resilience in vulnerable communities.
Shelke played a pivotal role in large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, particularly during the devastating 2024 floods and landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. Her leadership ensured rapid evacuation, coordinated relief efforts, and the restoration of essential services under very challenging conditions.
What are the Contributions of Lieutenant Colonel Sita Ashok Shelke to Disaster Management
Here are some of the major achievements that set Lieutenant Colonel Shelke apart:
• Effective Disaster Response
During the 2024 Wayanad crisis, Shelke led multiple high-risk rescue operations in severe weather, helping save hundreds of lives and provide timely relief.
• Engineering and Strategic Solutions
She supervised the construction of a 190-foot Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala, restoring vital connectivity for remote villages cut off by landslides. Her team also innovated ways to use heavy machinery under difficult terrain and built temporary footbridges within hours at night.
• Resource Mobilisation
Under her leadership, more than 150 tonnes of equipment were mobilised to support relief and recovery operations in disaster-hit areas, benefiting thousands of people.
• Training and Capacity Building
Shelke also trained over 2,300 personnel in disaster response and humanitarian operations, significantly improving operational readiness and community support networks.
Institutional Honour: Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority
In addition to Lieutenant Colonel Shelke’s individual recognition, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) was selected for the institutional category of the award.
SSDMA has strengthened disaster preparedness across Sikkim by deploying over 1,185 trained Aapda Mitras (disaster management volunteers) across villages, blocks, and district levels. This community-centric approach has enhanced early warning systems, preparedness, and response capabilities.
Notably, SSDMA’s real-time coordination during events such as the 2016 Mantam landslide and 2023 Teesta floods helped rescue thousands and reduce loss of life and property.
Government Support and Disaster Risk Reduction Focus
These awards are announced under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs and highlight India’s continued progress in disaster risk reduction. Supported by national leadership, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, disaster preparedness initiatives in India have increasingly focused on mitigation strategies, rapid response, and community empowerment.
This recognition of individual and institutional excellence reflects the government’s commitment to building sustainable resilience and encouraging innovation in disaster management practices.
Why This Award Matters
The Subhas Chandra Bose National Award for Disaster Management serves multiple key purposes:
- Recognises Leadership: It shines a spotlight on individuals and organisations making measurable impacts in disaster preparedness and response.
- Encourages Innovation: The award motivates disaster management professionals to employ innovative strategies and engineering solutions in challenging environments.
- Strengthens Community Resilience: By acknowledging successful models, it highlights best practices that can be replicated in other states and regions.
- Elevates Women in Leadership: Lieutenant Colonel Shelke’s achievement also represents the growing involvement of women leadership in disaster management operations and field roles.
