Day 4 of 7 days PU NSS special camp

Chandigarh: Prof. Neelam Grover, Department of Geography, University School of Open Learning, Panjab University, Chandigarh led a session on “Environment and Indigenous Technology”. She began her talk by mentioning about a novel “SAPIENS” where the author talks about the how sapiens are different from animals. She emphasized the importance of water by highlighting the role of oceans in helping sustain life. She also spoke about soil erosion, expansion of deserts, declining wetlands, coral reefs and mangroves due to reckless exploitation of natural resources. Man cannot blame any single element for the changes that have been brought about in the climate as there are many dimensions and components which need to be considered. Green revolution which was initially considered as a boon is actually a bane now as no scientific temper was exercised by policy makers and scientists at its launch. She mentioned five important areas which are in danger namely, oceans, mangroves, tropical rainforests, deserts/polar regions. She asserted that to deal with environmental problems confronting the contemporary society, lessons can be learnt from local communities who use local knowledge and indigenous techniques judiciously.

Later in the day, the PU NSS special camp team organised a self-defence training session for its volunteers. The Head Constable Sanjay Malik and Ms. Pooja Mehak (Constable) from “Swayam” team of Women and Child Support Unit, Chandigarh Police demonstrated various techniques to protect oneself. He laid emphasis on physical fitness and discussed courage being an essential element in self-defence.

Programme Coordinator, Dr. Navdeep Sharma said such gender-neutral sessions were extremely important in today’s scenario.  The day which started on a positive note with session’s on spirituality, meditation and connecting with environment thereby ended with skill training session on self -defence.