The United Service Institution of India was founded in 1870 by a soldier scholar, Colonel (later Major General) Sir Charles MacGregor. The story of its growth is the story of the growth of the Indian Armed Forces. It was founded for ‘furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services.’
About the Monograph
| This monograph presents an insightful and comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of natural disasters, with a particular focus on earthquakes—their causes, impact, cascading effects, and the socio-political challenges they expose. Through detailed case studies from around the world, including Turkey, China, Haiti, Japan, and India, the work highlights how inadequate preparedness, weak infrastructure, political mismanagement, and poor governance often turn natural hazards into human tragedies. The author underscores the urgent need for early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, effective coordination mechanisms, trained response forces, and technology-enabled disaster management. The narrative also reflects India's vulnerabilities and its evolving institutional response, tracing the development of national disaster management frameworks since the early 20th century. Overall, the monograph urges policymakers and citizens alike to rethink preparedness, strengthen governance, and adopt a proactive approach to mitigate future disasters. |