The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Mr Mullappally Ramachandran on Wednesday launched the first e- learning self study cousrse on basic concepts of disaster management to mark the Disater Reduction Day. The course intends to create interest and raise the level of knowledge, skill and awareness on disaster management.This has been conceived by National Institute of Disaster Management, NIDM .The programme can be accesed by the people free of cost. Speaking on the occassion, the Minister underlined the need for creating awareness among the school children and the people about the disaster management so that the impact of disaters like earthquake, tsunami can be reduced. Mr Ramachandran said that there is a need to train more people so that they can help quicken the response to tackle challenges of disaters. He urged that NIDM should expand its regional centres so that more and more awareness can be generated among the people about risk reduction and preparedness during disaster.