National Seminar on Sustainable Development Goals at JGND Punjab State Open University
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ July 10,2024
Public Relations and the School of Languages, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University (JGND PSOU), Patiala, collaboratively organised one-day national seminar on “Sustainable Development Goals: Eco-centric vs Economic-centric Models”on 10th July, 2024.
Prof Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Patiala was the Chief Guest and Dr Amit Dhir, Professor, School of Energy and Environment, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala was the Resource Person for the seminar.
Prof Karamjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, JGND PSOU welcomed the distinguished guests. In his address, he deliberated on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Prof Karamjeet Singh said, “Environmental dimension is necessary while economically progressing.
The universal call for action to end poverty, protect the planet, and to ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030 given by UN can be realised only by exercising limits. Research on planetary boundaries suggests that humanity has been transgressing thresholds of Earth’s life support system for economic development. There should be sustainable relationship between economic systems and ecosystems.”
Prof Adarsh Pal Vig exhorted the participants to initiate change at the personal level to attain sustainable development. While contemplating on an environment centric model of growth, Prof Vig highlighted the importance of integrating sustainable development goals with the environmental concerns. “Time is ripe to assess whether the implementation of SDGs has lived up to the promise of improving human well-being while at the same time protecting the Earth’s ecosystems.”
Prof Amit Dhir talked about ‘Environmental Management’ in his keynote address. He highlighted that any economic progress made by compromising on environmental issues cannot lead to balanced development. “Any solutions provided for conservation and preservation of natural resources need to be both socially acceptable and economically viable in order to work,” he said.
Environment Unearthed: Literary Perspectives on Nature and Climate Change, an anthology dedicated to the environment, edited by Dr. Navleen Multani was released on the occasion. Flyers of the upcoming programs initiated by the Public Relations Cell, JGND PSOU, “Expert Speaks @ JGND PSOU” and “JGND PSOU Chetna Series” were also released by the dignitaries. In order to raise awareness among youngsters and participants, PPCB distributed jute bags and pamphlets on “Say NO to Plastic”. In support of the plantation project“Sehar: Seeds of Change” aimed to revive growth of traditional trees, seeds were also distributed by Prabhsehar and Livgovind Singh. A poem on “Rukh” was recited by Gurpreet Singh, JGND PSOU student.
National Seminar on Sustainable Development Goals at JGND Punjab State Open University . Prof Gurdip Singh Batra, Dean Academic Affairs;Prof Baljit Singh Khehra, Registrar; Prof Kanwalvir Singh Dhindsa, CoE; distinguished guests, faculty, students and staff were present during the seminar.Prof Gurdip Singh Batra extended the vote of thanks.
