BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus organized day long G20 events; these events comprised of a Y20 brainstorming session on ‘Climate Change and Disaster Risk’ in Goa in the first half of the day, and the 69th G20 University Connect Event in the afternoon. Both these events (Y20 and G20 University Connect) were supported by RIS (https://www.ris.org.in), an autonomous think tank of the Ministry of External Affairs, on behalf of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, respectively.
Y20 Brainstorming session at BITS Pilani Goa highlighted Climate Change and Disaster Risk in Goa
Under the aegis of Y20, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is conducting events and programs across India to ensure participation of the young population in G20 activities. Prof. Suman Kundu, Director of BITS Pilani’s Goa campus welcomed the delegates and introduced the audience to BITS Pilani’s Goa campus, its achievements in the education sector, its commitment to Green and Clean Environment and its initiatives to mitigate the adversities related to Climate Change. Prof. Sunil Singh, a Bhatnagar Fellow and the Director of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, graced the Y20 event as its Chief Guest. Prof. Sunil Singh described at length the increased warming in the Arabian Sea and its implications for the State of Goa, its people and its economy and its connection in the context of global warming. Dr. Seshadri Chari, Chairperson of the Governing Council of RIS, provided the context for this meeting in the larger vision of Y20 and G20 events. This brainstorming meeting specifically sought to discuss climate change and its impacts on Goa and ways to better adapt to these impacts – including discussions on technical and financial mechanisms. This event saw a large and enthusiastic participation of youth practitioners from Goa.
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi from BITS Goa and Dr. Bappa Das from ICAR, Goa discussed about how climate change is affecting disasters and posing new challenges for the state of Goa. Gauree Malkarnekar, an young and dynamic Journalist from Times of India, Goa, spoke about citizen’s perspective of disasters under a warming climate, with examples and case-studies from Goa. Dr. Pradip V Sarmokdam, Nodal Officer, Goa Climate Change Cell highlighted participatory initiatives to engage citizens in disaster risk management in the state. Shruthi Adpaikar, a young engineer from Goa Climate Change Cell spoke about development of participatory monitoring and Early Warning Systems with the inputs and support from citizens in the state. Mr Gopal Sarkate and Mr Pratik Gholap, young officers from NABARD spoke about different financing possibilities for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Goa. Besides the above mentioned panelists, this Y20 event also witnessed interactive participation of young Forest officer from Goa forest Department, Mr. Amit Gemawat. This event was also attended by Deputy Collectors from both the Collectorates in Goa, and Mamlatdar from one of the Talukas. Young officers from the state Disaster Management Authority, Apda Mitras, Wetland Mitras, several young members and Chairperson of Village level biodiversity Management Committees, besides several PhD students and faculty members from several colleges across Goa. It also witnessed participation from two more universities besides BITS Pilani – Goa University and IIULER, Goa. We also had the privilege to interact with young Ali Syed from RIS, New Delhi.
Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImY12Gyn0JU
BITS Pilani Goa hosted the 69th University Connect event during India’s G-20 presidency year
G20 University Connect programme seeks to engage with University students in the context of India’s G20 presidency. BITS Pilani Goa campus hosted the 69th G20 University Connect event during India’s G-20 presidency (out of the total 76 University Connect events proposed during the India’s G-20 presidency year). This G-20 University Connect event saw a large participation of young college students from more than a dozen colleges across Goa, and two universities besides BITS Pilani. G20 University Connect carried lectures on the theme of ‘Climate Change and India’s G-20 Presidency‘ from distinguished speakers: Dr. Seshadri Chari, Board of Governors, RIS, New Delhi; Prof. Venkata Rao, VC, IIULER, Goa; Prof. Savita Kerkar, Dean, Goa University; and Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani Goa Campus.
Besides the students the event was also attended by young faculty members from different colleges, Government Officials from Goa’s Directorate of Higher Education, and colleagues from BITS Goa. Students also received an opportunity to interact with the speakers. As part of this interaction students asked questions and these questions were patiently answered by the dignitaries.
Further, as part of our attempt to engage young minds, an interactive quiz competition was conducted by Prof. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi, Associate Professor, BITS Goa and Dr. Ramesh Kumar MR, Former Chief Scientist, NIO. A total of thirty students were adjudged winners of this quiz competition and were felicitated by the dignitaries with a memento and a certificate. Gainfully, out of the thirty quiz winners, about 75% winners were girl students. The G20 University Connect event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Suman Kundu, Director of BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa campus.
Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D34ngPC7us
For any further details, please contact:
Prof. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi, Associate Professor, Dept. Of Humanities and Social Sciences
rajivc@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in / 9008866884
