Speakers draw attention towards depleting water sources

Chandigarh: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with Punjab Pollution Control Board (Government of Punjab), Patiala organized one day National Seminar/Workshop on the theme, “CLIMATE EMERGENGY: NO TIME LEFT; ACT NOW” on 15 February, 2020 in the University Campus.

The Chief Guest, Honourable Justice A. K. Goel Chairman, National Green Tribunal, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, Former Chief Justice of Odisha High Court and Former Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court drew the attention of the audience towards the depleting water sources and the fatal diseases being caused by chemical emissions and Green House gases. He urged everyone to enlighten and empower oneself to face the challenge of water, air and soil pollution. 

Shri R.N. Jindal , Executive Director, Nimbua Green Field Punjab Ltd. in his keynote address delved on the strict compliance of law and policies to mitigate the environment crises caused due to pollution which is endangering our lives. 

Prof. S. S. Marwaha, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board,  emphasised on the scientific analysis to be followed towards the exaggerated views regarding the pollution fear and on creating awareness for resolving the environment crisis.

Prof Raj Kumar, the Vice Chancellor in his welcome address apprised the guests about the various innovative projects begun by University for improving the research and teaching skills. He appreciated the mix of resource persons invited for seminar from different domain of knowledge to deliberate on the concern of the environment. 

Hon'ble Mr Justice Jasbir Singh,the Former Acting Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court,  while expounding the theme of the seminar made a call to face a challenge of unhealthy environment through sensitization programmes and cumulative responsibility. 
 

According to the Coordinator of Dr B. R. Ambedkar Centre Professor Devinder Singh, a series of activities were organized to mark the seminar/workshop. This includes the Paper Presentations, the Quiz, on the spot painting competition, waste to wealth competition and the slogan writing competition. The seminar/workshop was open for researchers, students and teaching faculty of the University Departments, Institutes, Centres as well as the colleges affiliated to the University. The participants were encouraged to register their concern for environment protection in their own way by choosing at their will the above-listed activities. The participants won a number of prizes for themselves while taking part in various competitions. They were also given certificates, seminar kits and refreshments. The participants of Departments/ Institutes / Centres of the University, such as Laws, History, Geography, UIET, UILS, ISSER, Centre of Human Rights, Political Science, Public Administration as well as colleges such as Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, Post Graduate Government College, Sector 46, DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh had shown an earnest interest and keenness for participation. 
 
The eminent dignatories present on the occasion included Sh. Alok Shekhar Srivastava, Secretary GAD and Coordination, Punjab, Sh. Subodh Aggarwal, Former Chief Secretary, Punjab, Sh. R. N. Jindal, was also the keynote speaker, Smt. Urvashi Gulati, Former Chief Secretary, Haryana, Er. Krunesh Garg, the Chief Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Head Office, Patiala, Prof. Ganga Ram Chaudhary, Director, CIL.

Five parallel technical sessions wer arranged for the activity of paper presentations in which 95 participants took part and 85 papers were presented broadly on themes, Global Warming, Sustainable Development, Green Energy, Waste Management, Depletion of Ozone, Natural Justice, Polluter Pays Principle, Noise Pollution, Afforestation etc. The paper presenters were adjudged by 14 chairpersons of various faculties of Humanities and Sciences who chaired various technical sessions.
 
52 participants took part in slogan writing competition. 12 teams of 36 participants from various departments of the University and the colleges competed in quiz competition. 12 participants took part in Waste to Wealth competition. 35 entries of participants were received for  on the spot painting and poster competition. 

The Valedictory Session was ordained by a number of prominent personalities, including Sh. Subhodh Aggarwal, Smt. Urvashi Gulati, Prof. S. S. Marwaha, Mr. Paramjit .Here prize distribution ceremony was also held for the prize winners.  The Seminar/ Workshop  fulfilled its purpose to sensitize one and all about environment protection, to act instantaneously for its cause and to keep alive the cause with continued deliberations and activities conducted through the said seminar/workshop.