Online workshop on disaster management by UILS, PU

Chandigarh:
University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) Panjab University has
taken the pioneering step in responding to the constraints imposed by
the Corona Lockdown and conducted a one day online workshop on the
theme “ Disaster and its Management: Some Socio-Economic,
Environmental, Political and Health Issues’.

The online workshop had 80 participants with 70 papers presented by
speakers from UILS,  and other universities across India.

 The genesis of the idea was given by the Vice Chancellor of Panjab
University Prof (Dr) Raj Kumar and was immediately put into action by
the workshop organizers Prof (Dr) Rattan Singh, Director UILS and Ms
Anu Chatrath, Dean, UILS.

Prof Raj Kumar ,VC in the inaugural ,while lauding the efforts of UILS
team ,directed the attention of the participants towards the
increasing need to harness and utilise the boon of technology and
communication devices to serve social and educational needs, calling
technology a ‘ray of hope in the darkness. He lauded the continuation
of the usual academic pursuits with vigour by UILS faculty. He also
remarked that UILS has always taken the lead in establishing
benchmarks of excellence and expressed delight that after the success
of the online webinar, more departments in Panjab University would
follow suit and organise similar academic exercises online.

In his address, PU Registrar, Prof (Dr) Karamjeet Singh began by
congratulating the participants and assuring them that PU, Chandigarh
would ensure that the academic work of the University would continue
unhindered even in the current lockdown period and beyond. He reminded
the participants that today on the birth anniversary of Guru Tegh
Bahadur, it was important to remember the Guru’s emphasis on
respecting Mother Nature.

The first session was conducted by Prof (Dr) Rajinder Kaur, and 31
papers were read. The online workshop continued with a second session
presided over by Prof (Dr) Shruti Bedi in which 39 papers were
presented on various themes related to the topic.

 The papers were wide ranging and shed light on various aspects of
Disaster management in India and across the globe. Topics such as
Cyber Safety Issues and Challenges during the current pandemic, Socio
Psychological Impact and changing perspectives, Coronavirus and
Constitutional Rights, The war against Bioterrorism and the Law, Cabin
fever in Lockdown etc were deliberated upon.

The workshop concluded with Dr Rattan Singh expressing his gratitude
to the participants. Prof Singh enjoined upon the faculty to continue
with the online instruction, teaching and projects which they were
conducting regularly with the students and continue to pursue academic
exercises even at a time when everyone was confined to their homes
because of the need for social distancing.