Srinagar, June 5 (KNO) : The Department of Students Welfare (DSW), Central University of Kashmir (CUK) organised a function to celebrate the “World environment Day” under the theme "Beat the Plastic Pollution" at Nowgam Campus-I here on Tuesday.
Scholars and experts threw light on wide range of topics related to the theme. They highlighted the menace of plastic pollution and suggested ways to curb it.
In his welcome address Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nika, Dean Students Welfare, deliberated upon the importance of the ‘World Environment Day’. "Every year World Environment Day has a new theme that major corporations, NGO’s, communities, governments, celebrities worldwide adapt to advocate environmental causes. This year’s theme was ‘beat the plastic pollution’ and each year a country is chosen to host the programme. This year United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) chose India as the Global host for the World Environment Day", he said.
Highlighting the need about creating environment awareness among masses, Professor Abdul Gani, Director, Research and Development said, "Everyday should be celebrated as an environment day because this is a very critical and sensitive issue". He asked the people to dedicate themselves for the cause of environment protection. Dr Gani said that environment awareness is part of the curricular activities of the CUK.
In her keynote address, eminent scientist and Head of Agronomy Division, Faculty of Agriculture Sciences Professor Raihana Habib Kanth suggested ways for day-to-day mechanism to reduce plastic waste.
M M Shah Legal Advisor J&K Pollution Control Board laid stress on the need of adopting environment friendly lifestyle. "We have to develop sense of belonging and this change has to happen at the grass root level." Shah said adding that in order to get rid of this menace, we need to regulate and minimise the daily use of plastic.
Noted RTI activist Dr. Sheikh Ghulam Rasool also spoke on the occasion. He raised pertinent questions and called for the self introspection. He stressed the need of Environment Impact Analysis Study and long term policy making to prevent disasters in ecologically fragile Kashmir valley.
An award-winning documentary on solid waste management “Untreated waste invitation to Disaster” by Er. Abdul Rashid from EMMRC, KU was also screened in the second half of the day which was followed by a Pledge taking ceremony, where everyone present in the auditorium took a pledge to reduce the usage of plastic in their daily lives.
Besides lectures a photo exhibition and poster competition was also organised by the Department.
In the photo exhibition Mr. Danish Maqbool from the department of Convergent Journalism was awarded the first prize while as second prize was bagged by Mr. Amir Ajaz from the same department. Third prize was shared by two participants Mr. Junaid Hassan and Mr. Basit Munawar Lone from the department of Management and Mathematics, respectively.
In the poster competition, Ms. Minha Nisar from the department of Politics and Governance, Mr Arif Sofi and Ms Tabysh Shafi (sharing basis) from department of Convergent Journalism and Syed Aniqa Noor from department of Zoology bagged first, second and third prizes, respectively.
Vote of thanks was given by Dr John Babu, Coordinator Innovation in the Department of Students Welfare.
CUK faculty, senior functionaries meet Hr Edu minister
Srinagar, June 5: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) functionaries Monday met Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Mr. Imran Raza Ansari and discussed various important issues.
Prof. N.A. Nadeem, Dean School of Education and Director Skill Development, Prof. M. Afzal Zargar, Registrar, Haji Bashir Ahmad, Financial Officer and Prof. Nighat Basu, Coordinator, Teacher Education and Chairperson Women Empowerment Committee also attended the meeting.
Prof. Nadeem gave a detailed presentation about the Design Innovation Centre, its mode of operation the coordination needed between higher Education Department of the State and CUK so that all the programmes are implemented and executed smoothly within the stipulated time.
The minister was informed that MHRD Government of India has recently sanctioned Design Innovation Centre (DIC) through an open competition along with GTU and IIT Roorkhee with an initial grant of Rs 10 crores to be spent in 2-3 years, which is first of its kind in the State.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. M. Afzal Zargar briefed the Minister about the Skill based courses already going on in CUK and apprised Mr. Imran Raza Ansari about the process of shifting of CUK to Ganderbal.
Minister of Higher Education, Mr. Imran Raza Ansari appreciated the efforts of the CUK in addressing to the needs of student community and youth in particular. He assured all sort of cooperation and support for establishing spoke centres of DIC in six-degree colleges including Government Degree College Kargil, Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar, Degree College Budgam, Degree College Magam, Degree College for Women Anantnag and Baramulla.