Toppers’ conclave: Experts focus on sustainable development

Tribune News Service

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Dehradun, August 10

Speakers delivered talks on schemes for urban development and disaster management on the third day of the toppers’ conclave at Raj Bhavan here today. The guest speakers spoke on the importance of developing a scientific temper.

Students from Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) and 28 British students from various UK universities attended the conclave.

UTU Vice-Chancellor PK Garg spoke on urban development and sustainable development. He said sustainable development was needed to maintain a balance between development and the ecology so that the fruits of development were enjoyed not only by the present generation but also by the generations to come.

Well-chalked out plans and the modern technology had contributed greatly to urban development, said Garg. Villages were being rapidly developed but due to lack of proper planning, development was not sustainable. The concepts of society, economy, culture and ecology need to be taken together for sustainable development, he added.

RK Bhandari, Director of the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, spoke on disaster management and the culture of rescue management. He said these had to be linked to society’s culture and could not be learnt in a laboratory. The government alone was not responsible for disaster prevention and management and every person must realise his/her responsibility in this regard, he added.

In the second session, Rajendra Dobhal, Director General of the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology, spoke on the importance of developing a scientific temper and work culture. Governor’s Secretary Arun Dhaundiyal, Sridev University Vice-Chancellor UC Rawat, Doon University Vice-Chancellor VK Jain and Kumoan University Vice-Chancellor Hoshiyar Singh Dhami were Present on the occasion.