CHASSCONG 2023 kickstarts with deliberations on Sustainability and Development

Chandigarh November 23, 2023: Inaugural Session of CHASSCONG 2023 held today with dignitaries from diverse disciplines deliberating upon multiple dimensions of Sustainability.
 
Meaningful deliberations on diverse dimensions of ‘Sustainable Development’ marked the inaugural session of the CHASSCONG 2023 today at Panjab University. The session began with Prof. Anju Suri, Dean Faculty of Arts and Coordinator, CHASSCONG 2023 introducing the theme of the two-day conference, i.e. ‘Sustainable Development : Dimensions & Discourse’. Prof. Suri further explained that how various sub themes of the conference will provide an opportunity for a wide range of consideration for various dimensions of sustainability.

Prof. Rumina Sethi, DUI, Panjab University and Director, CHASSCONG 2023 delivered the inaugural address wherein she stressed upon the fact that, “ Sustainability is not a matter of choice but also a matter of dire need.” She further added that one has to understand the need to be “ kind to the nature” if we wish that the “nature be kind to us”. She cited various personal anecdotes to stress upon the fact that how the landscapes are being changed to meet human needs and are leading to climate disasters. She also quoted various authors and poets to draw a connect between literature and the broad area of sustainability.

Dr. Srikanta K Panigrahi, Director General, Indian Institute of Sustainable Development, and guest of honour for the session spoke about the three pillars of Sustainability being – Social, economic and Environmental Sustainability. He further delved on the indicators of social sustainability being, Inequality , Poverty and Hunger. Prof. Panigrahi presented statistical data to bring home the point of creating awareness about the theme. He cited figures from the World Inequality Report. Prof. Nalini Ranganathan, Pondicherry University also the guest of honour for the day spoke on the idea of “ leaving no one behind”. She spoke on concepts of Human Development Index, Poverty Index, disparities between states and the significance of various SDGs.

Prof. V.K. Malhotra, Chairman, Food Commission of Madhya Pradesh and Chief Guest for the session spoke about the ideas of ‘Economy and Society’. He shared hat it was significant to discuss the interplay between the society and development. He furthered that it was crucial to understand the various evolving perspectives and paradigms around the concept of Development. He summed up with a message for the audience that sustainable development integrates the economic, social and environmental dimensions.

The inaugural session also saw the release of souvenir for CHASSCONG 2023 and a humble tribute to Late Prof. Naval Kishore who  had held various significant posts at Panjab University and passed away on 22nd November 2023.

The two day conference is hosting a number of technical sessions in various departments with researchers presenting their work on various sub themes. A number of special lectures, activities are also being conducted on the broad theme of conference.