On the occasion of Home Guards and Civil Defense Foundation Day: on 06.12.2022 by Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. 2. Objective:- The life of a Home Guards is full of physical and mental challenges, therefore the health of his mind and brain is as invaluable as his physical health. With an aim to give a physical shape to this vision, a new initiative was taken on the occasion of Raetic Parade-2022.

Till date, 5080 Home Guards volunteers and personnel have also downloaded the 'PAHAL App'. Along with this, workshops are also organized from time to time on the basis of counseling sessions booked through 'Pahal App'. In this regard, following are the important facts of the first progress report of the 'Pahal App' scheme from the month of December, 2022 to April, 2023

1- The number of Home Guards volunteers and personnel who have downloaded the 'Pahal App' application is 5080. 2- 745 Home Guards volunteers and personnel booked counseling sessions on 'Pahal App', out of which 132 have successfully taken the counseling sessions. “PAHAL” is a unique initiative keeping in mind the objective of mental and emotional prosperity of all Home Guards volunteers of Home Guards and Civil Defense Department of Uttarakhand. This mobile application has been launched on the occasion of Home Guards Day with the help of an organization named "School of Life". Various resources related to mental health, such as psychological services, individual counseling and several video resources for self-help, will be available from the comfort of their homes, free of cost, on the mobile phones of Home Guards volunteers.

Home Guards volunteers will login on the mobile application with their mobile number and regimental number. Volunteers will be able to use the “PAHAL” app in two ways. Firstly, for mental and emotional prosperity, he will be able to book an appointment to have a direct conversation with a psychologist, in which he will also be able to see his previously booked appointments. All the proceedings of the conversation with the psychological counselor will be kept confidential at the departmental level so that they can keep their statements openly in front of the counselor. Before booking a psychologist, he will be able to watch the saved video material, so that he can assess himself and get the required mental support. Second, they will be able to send their problems, complaints etc. towards their duty etc. at the district level, divisional level and headquarter level and they will also be informed after quick resolution of the problems. Such an effort to improve the mental stress and emotional health of Home Guards has not been made available in any other state of the country till now and this is a special and unique initiative for the Home Guards of Uttarakhand

Through the “PAHAL” app, our Home Guards will be able to better communicate the stress they face in their everyday life, rise above the challenges of duty and life and create a strong mind.