The wartime survival guide: A citizen’s manual for civil defence

Protect your country: Obey civil regulations and fulfil your national duty.

1. Stop the spread of misinformation: Do not circulate rumours about enemy invasions or state decisions. Never forward messages, videos, or content that support the enemy nation.
2. Prevent public confusion: Avoid creating unnecessary anxiety or speculation regarding military movements or government strategies; the enemy can easily exploit public confusion. During a conflict, political parties and the media must act with maturity, allowing the government and armed forces to focus entirely on their work—this is vital for national security.
3. Observe all restrictions: Strictly follow all emergency regulations. Avoid breaking curfews, attempting hasty border crossings, or violating blackout orders issued by the authorities.
4. Remain vigilant against threats: Hostile agents, spies, and sleeper cells can operate anywhere. If you spot suspicious activity from unfamiliar individuals or uncover evidence of weapon smuggling to traitors, report it immediately and exclusively to the police or authorised government officials.
5. Champion national morale: Promoting patriotism across social platforms and news outlets while actively supporting our troops is a vital national responsibility.

Remember, patriotic citizens form the true foundation of national strength. When every civilian steps up and performs their duty like a soldier on the home front, the nation will emerge victorious!

How will you respond when crisis strikes?

In times of war, acting with austerity, obedience, patience, and unity is a vital national duty.

Practising austerity and sacrifice

Because generations have grown up without experiencing wartime conditions or receiving civil defence training, many people remain unaware of the critical role civilians must play during a conflict. We must address this gap immediately. If a prolonged war breaks out, citizens must actively embrace austerity and prepare for personal sacrifices. Given our current lack of preparedness, an unexpected, drawn-out conflict would test public endurance to its absolute limits.

Fuel management is the single most critical factor during a national crisis. Because domestic production falls short of national demand, India relies heavily on fuel imports. While a planned wartime strategy allows authorities to stockpile resources, a sudden attack leaves no time for such arrangements. In this scenario, the government must divert all available fuel to the military as an absolute priority.

Consequently, civilians will face immediate, severe fuel shortages. We must meet this challenge with patience and ration our energy use strictly. Because fuel shortages disrupt the transportation of essential supplies, food grains may stop moving across the country. This will make securing daily provisions exceptionally difficult. During such a crisis, grocery shortages could become so severe that basic food items will remain entirely unavailable, even if you have the money to pay for them.

Limiting the use of electricity and water

Because fuel driven pumps handle water supply, energy shortages will inevitably restrict water supplies. Similarly, if a fuel crisis disrupts the rail transport of coal to power stations, electricity generation will plummet. Civilians must therefore use both water and power with extreme care. Furthermore, if the enemy successfully targets and destroys major dams, it will deal a catastrophic blow to the populations relying on them.

To mitigate this risk, authorities must keep local lakes and wells in usable condition during peacetime. While rural villages can easily maintain these local water sources, implementing such emergency provisions in major metropolises and modern ‘Smart Cities’ is virtually impossible. As a result, residents of cities that rely entirely on large dams will have no choice but to evacuate if those systems fail.

Hostile strikes on power plants will trigger an even greater crisis. During the Second World War, opposing forces routinely targeted critical infrastructure like dams and power stations. For instance, when Germany occupied parts of France and began manufacturing weapons in local factories, French forces chose to destroy their own dams to cut off the electricity supplying the German war machine. Similarly, the Russian army systematically destroyed its own roads and dams during its retreat to prevent Germany from using them.

Strict obedience to blackout orders

Authorities enforce strict blackouts at night during active conflicts. Keeping lights on makes it incredibly easy for invading enemy aircraft to locate and strike their targets. Consequently, citizens must cease all business and domestic activities that require lighting after dark. If a war breaks out during the summer months, the combined shortage of water and electricity will cause immense hardship, exposing just how grim daily life can become if a conflict drags on for a year or longer.

Facing economic challenges, supporting neighbours, and remaining united

Wartime conditions will force many businesses to close, cutting off regular financial income for millions. This economic disruption will be the most severe consequence of the conflict, forcing families to rely entirely on their past savings. Those without financial reserves will face immediate, intense hardship. Furthermore, if the war continues indefinitely, the government may well restrict the amount of money citizens can withdraw from banks, making daily survival significantly harder.

During a protracted crisis, civilians cannot rely on immediate assistance from the government or local administration. Instead, communities must pull together, with neighbours actively supporting one another. In particular, communities must look after the families of the soldiers fighting on the front lines. This crisis will serve as the ultimate test of our national brotherhood, remaining united is paramount. Alongside maintaining a resilient mindset, citizens must prepare themselves for the very real possibility of food shortages and hunger, keeping in mind that the sick and vulnerable will suffer the most.

Compiler: Shri. Prashant Koyande, Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa. (March 2019)

Emergency measures for a biological attack or infectious disease outbreak

1. Continuous disinfection: Regularly spray disinfectants to protect against viral infections and eliminate germs.
2. Use netting: Always sleep under mosquito nets at night to prevent insect-borne transmission.
3. Secure water supplies: Store ample water to maintain strict personal hygiene and cleanliness.
4. Restrict travel: Avoid travelling to countries or regions affected by the outbreak.
5. Sanitise surfaces: Disinfect frequently touched items and surfaces using a 1 per cent ‘Lysol’ solution.
6. Boost immunity: Ensure you get plenty of sleep, stay well-hydrated, and consume nutritious food.
7. Home Remedies for early symptoms: If you develop a sore throat or a cough, mix salt and turmeric into a glass of lukewarm water (200 ml) and gargle every 3 to 4 hours.
8. Shelter in place: Stay indoors as soon as you receive official news of a viral outbreak.
9. Food Safety: Take extra care when washing and preparing food, especially leafy vegetables. Avoid eating stale food.

– Dr Pandurang Marathe, Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa.

Air raid protocols: Actionable steps and precautions

Recommended actions

• Assess the scene calmly: Stay calm; thoroughly survey the area for secondary hazards before beginning any rescue work.
• Seek structural cover: If you are caught near a staircase, stand flat against the main structural wall.
• Stabilise debris: Use corrugated iron sheets or sturdy metal panels to prop up unstable, collapsing structures to prevent further injuries.
• Clear airways immediately: Carefully clear away dirt, dust, and debris from the mouths and noses of injured individuals to ensure they can breathe freely.

Actions to avoid

• Avoid panic: Do not panic or run blindly, as this increases the risk of injury during or after a strike.
• Leave structural timber alone: Do not pull out wooden beams or supports from collapsed sections; removing them can trigger further structural collapse.
• Avoid electrical hazards: Never touch dangling or exposed wires, as they may still be live.
• Avoid unstable ground: Do not scramble or crawl over loose heaps of stones, rubble, or heavily damaged structures, as these surfaces are highly unstable.

(Source: ‘Crisis Management Guide’, Regional Crisis Management Centre, Sangli, Maharashtra.)

Societal and structural shifts during wartime

1. Transition of private industry to munitions production

If an active conflict prolongs, the armed forces will inevitably face ammunition and hardware shortages. To counter this, the government can requisition private manufacturing facilities to complement state-run military factories. These commercial production lines are pivoted to manufacture critical components and spare parts for frontline weaponry.

2. Critical surge in blood donations and medical reallocation

Wartime conditions result in high casualty rates among frontline troops, creating an immediate, massive demand for blood supplies. In response, the state will launch urgent national blood donation drives, requiring patriotic citizens to step forward proactively. Concurrently, civilian hospitals are reallocated and reserved exclusively for treating wounded military personnel.

3. Mass military mobilisation and recruitment drives

The state will issue nationwide recruitment calls to bolster frontline forces. During these drives, young citizens must prioritise national service and enlist. Individuals who have already completed basic military or civil defence training receive immediate priority during the induction process.

4. Enforcement of civil blackout protocols

Civilian centres face strict blackout orders to neutralise aerial threats. For example, during the 1971 war, authorities enforced a total blackout across Mumbai. Because the Indian Navy had launched a devastating raid on Karachi Port, retaliatory strikes from the Pakistani air force were highly anticipated, making total darkness essential to protect urban populations from radarless navigation strikes.