Ranchi (08.12.2025): Setting a new, crucial benchmark for public safety in the tribal state of Jharkhand, Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz (IAS: 2014: JH), the District Collector of Ramgarh, has spearheaded a massive citizen-empowerment drive that has created an army of over two lakh 'Aapda Mitras' (Friends in Disaster) trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and essential first aid.
In a situation when every second counts during medical emergencies, especially in remote areas, Mumtaz’s campaign has turned ordinary citizens into certified first responders, effectively bridging the critical gap between an emergency and professional medical help.
Speaking to Indianmandarins about the ambitious initiative, District Collector Mumtaz articulated the mission: "This is an attempt to help and empower citizens to save the lives of their fellow citizens when every second counts."
A People-Powered Safety Net
Over the last six months, the administration has successfully trained two lakh residents, a remarkable feat achieved through meticulous planning and community involvement. The DC revealed the long-term vision, stating, "We have a target of providing such training to one in every five persons of the population."
To achieve this scale, the Ramgarh district administration certified 3,500 individuals as Master Trainers. These highly skilled personnel—supplementing the efforts of doctors, paramedics, and volunteers—have fanned out across the district to cascade the training.
The programme's reach is comprehensive, integrating every segment of Ramgarh’s populace. Villages, schools, colleges, industrial hubs like mines and factories, and government offices have all been made part of the massive sensitisation and training exercise. The goal of creating an 'Aapda Mitra' in every family in Ramgarh's villages has reportedly been achieved with considerable success.
The Rationale: Bringing Life Support Home
Mumtaz emphasised the critical need for household-level preparedness, pointing out the alarming statistics. "Over 70 per cent of heart attacks take place at home. If someone knows how to provide CPR, lives can be saved," he asserted. This localised and personalised approach to emergency response is the core philosophy driving the 'Aapda Mitra' movement.
For the 2014-batch IAS officer, this initiative is a continuation of his commitment to public safety training, irrespective of his posting. He recalled previous initiatives, noting, "When I was posted in the Excise and Agriculture Departments, I took the initiative to train bartenders and people involved in the sector with such skills. I got around 10,000 people trained there as well."
The six-month-long movement has instilled a sense of confidence and readiness among Ramgarh's residents, transforming the district into a model for how a proactive administration can harness citizen power to build a resilient, life-saving public safety infrastructure.
