Eminent scientists and school students participated in the Earth Day 2023 celebration held at Central University of Punjab
Kanwar Inder Singh/ April 23,2023
The Department of Geology and Institution’s Innovation Council of the Central University of Punjab, under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, organized a one-day programme to observe “Earth Day” on April 22, 2023, with the theme “Invest in Our Planet”. The programme featured a series of events, including an Earth Day lecture series, a model presentation, a poster presentation, and a geological exhibition. The Chief Guest of this programme was Prof. Somnath Dasgupta, Honorary Professor, IISER, Kolkata, and Former Vice-Chancellor, Assam University.
The objective of the event was to highlight the importance of Earth and its natural resources in human life, create awareness about the role of earth scientists in environmental protection, and discuss the global climate crisis. More than 250 participants, including students of the Central University of Punjab as well as five schools in Bathinda district, attended this event.
During the inaugural session, the Chief Guest, Prof. Somnath Dasgupta, delivered a talk entitled “Planet Earth: Early History of its Inhabitants and Their Evolution.” He mentioned that planet Earth came into existence around 4.6 billion years ago and that life on Earth evolved organisms around 3.7 billion years ago. But only the period of the last 65 million years, the period between the extinction of the dinosaur and the present day, is called the Age of Mammals. The first human ancestors came between 5-7 million years ago. He also mentioned that in the geological past, around five big mass extinction events have occurred so far that have eliminated various species on earth. Human civilization needs to preserve our ecological environment to ensure that such an incident does not happen again in the future.
In his presidential address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari highlighted that it took millions of years to formulate natural resources on earth, but their overutilization in the name of development will put our future generations at a high risk of natural calamities. He also emphasized that our traditional knowledge system and wisdom about nature have always guided us to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, each one of us should understand our duty to devote our time to the conservation of the environment.
On this occasion, Prof. R. J. Perumal delivered a keynote address on “Natural and Anthropogenetic Hazards: Impact on Earth.” After this, Er. Ravi Pal from the Punjab Pollution Control Board, Bhatinda, discussed the problems and causes of pollution in water bodies in Punjab.
The special attractions of this programme were model and poster presentations themed on Invest in Our Planet by class VIII–XII students from DPS, Bathinda, DAV Bhatinda, GSSS, Ghudda, Wheat Fields Public School, Ghudda, and Kendriya Vidyalaya 1, Bathinda. On this occasion, the CUPB students also displayed a geological exhibition and a poster presentation to promote the message of the adoption of sustainable lifestyle practices to preserve our planet for future generations. Participants appreciated the marvelous work displayed by young students. The best models and posters were awarded during the prize distribution ceremony.
Eminent scientists and school students participated in the Earth Day 2023 celebration held at Central University of Punjab. At the outset, Dr. Jitendra K. Pattanaik, convener of the programme, highlighted the theme of the programme and reminded us of the role of the Earth in its resources and in our lives. Dr. Sunil Mittal, Dean, School of Environment and Earth Sciences, introduced the keynote speakers. Dr. Ksh. Krishnakanta Singh, HoD, and the Department of Geology concluded the programme with a valedictory speech. He gave a formal vote of thanks towards the end of the programme. Faculty, research scholars, and students from various departments of the university attended this programme with full enthusiasm.
(royalpatiala.in News)
