Dr. Ali Abbas on review panel of “Pakistan Journal of Media Sciences”.

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Chandigarh September 21, 2021

            Dr Ali Abbas, Coordinator of the Urdu department, Panjab University, Chandigarh has been picked up as a member of the editorial, Advisory Board and Manuscript reviewer for “Pakistan Journal of Media Sciences”.

            This research Journal is being published under the Society for Social Science and Research Association, Karachi, Pakistan.

“It is an Honorary Membership of the Editorial Board” the communication added.

            In yet another communication received by Dr. Ali Abbas, he has also been picked up as a reviewer of yet another Urdu Research journal “Bazyaft” Published by Pakistan based University of the Punjab, Lahore.

            “The main aim of the journal is to provide a platform for researchers working in or about Urdu language and literature,” The communication added.

Chandigarh sweeps PRCI awards in Goa, won seven awards

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Chandigarh:

The Chandigarh Chapter of the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) has made a convincing sweep by bagging a total of seven awards at the 15th Global Communication Conclave being organized by the Public Relations Council of India on September 17-18,2021 at Goa.  The conclave was well attended by over 250 representatives from Public Relations, Media, Corporate Communications and Advertising fraternity from all over India.

Chandigarh won the ‘Best Chapter of the Year’, ‘Special Jury Award in Best Feedback from the audience’, ‘Best Media Coverage’ and ‘Highest Number of Webinars during pandemic’. 

Chapter Chairman, Vivek Atrey won the Special Jury Award in the Inter Chapter Talent Hunt Competition while senior journalist Vipin Pubby bagged the third prize in the moderator category. Meanwhile, Purvi Bhushan from Shoolini also won the second prize in the Young Communicator category.

These awards were honoured by PS Sreedharan Pillai, His Excellency, the Governor of Goa and Dr. Govind Goude, Minister for Art & Culture, Goa  Industry Minister, Govt of Goa during the two day long conclave 
C J Singh, Sr Vice President National Executive extended his congratulations to the entire team of Chandigarh  chapter for this tremendous achievement.
Chandigarh Chapter was represented by Vivek Atrey, Chapter Chairman, Renuka Salwan, Chairperson, North Zone, PRCI and DPR, PU and Saryu D. Madra, PRO, PGI, Chandigarh.

Chander Mukhi 1

Congress Trying to Mislead People to Garner Votes, says Chander Mukhi Sharma

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Chandigarh – 20 september :

Chairman Election Campaign Committee Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh. Chander Mukhi Sharma lashed out on Pawan Bansal today, by stating his actions to mislead people of Chandigarh.

“Congress party and its leader have completely failed when they were in power at centre and Chandigarh MC but now use misleading comments and crocodile tears to garner the votes in upcoming elections,” says Chander Mukhi Sharma.

Former central minister Pawan Bansal addressed an election programme in Chandigarh and called upon people of the city to elect congress to power. While addressing the party workers and public, he quoted, “We are well aware of the problems faced by the residents”.

Talking about Pawan Bansal’s tenure as a minister and an MP of the Chandigarh, Mr. Chander Mukhi Sharma said, “Pawan Bansal has completely failed in solving the problems of the co-operative societies when in power but now using false propaganda to peddle lies”. 

“Another issue which has been pending since 2009 is the internal maintenance of the societies. They are managing their internal roads, street lights, water supply & sanitation but Pawan Bansal did nothing in-spite of being a minister at that time. In every election he has contested, he promised all these things but fulfilled nothing,” Mr. Sharma added.

In the same event, Chandigarh Congress president Subhash Chawala claimed that they have formed a team to chalk out the problems faced by the society residents and they will make a plan to solve them accordingly.

Expressing concern over Chawla’s comment, the AAP leader said that it shows how the president is unaware of the problems of city residents when he’s been a mayor of Chandigarh. Instead of making committee for this task, he should ask Pawan Bansal to whom people have given multiple representations about issues and he’s already promised to solve them during the MP elections.

International World Bamboo Day Celebration 2021

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Chandigarh September 20, 2021

DST-Centre for Policy Research (CPR) at Punjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with World Bamboo Organization, USA successfully organized a virtual webinar for the celebration of International World Bamboo Day 2021 on September 18 (Saturday). The theme of the webinar was Scope of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Bamboo Sector.

Eminent speakers from various national and international organizations shared their thoughts and approach towards proliferating bamboo for sustainable development and consumption in India. Susanne Lucas, the Executive Director, World Bamboo Organization (WBO), USA shared a special message on the bamboo and role of WBO to promote it worldwide.

The prominent experts and speakers for the event were Mr. Sanjeev Karpe, Founder, Director, Konkan, Bamboo and Cane Development Centre, Maharashtra, Dr. Merdelyn, Vice Chancellor, Research and Extension, University of Philippines, Dr. Ajit SIngh Naosekpam, Consultant, South East Asia, Bamcore, Chandigarh; Dr. Santosh Oinam, Scientific Officer, DST-CPR at PU; Dr. Natasha Saini, Assistant Professor, Abhilashi Group of Institutions, Mandi, H.P.; Dr. Harjit Kaur Bajwa, Assistant Professor, Chandigarh University, Mohali. The speakers showcased various technologies, applications and utility of Bamboo. They also deliberated upon the issues on policy perspective in India and emphasized that India can be a leader in the global market. They also deliberated that in coming future, if farmers in India will focus on growing bamboo and commercializing it worldwide, they can contribute to address the economic challenges being faced by Indian farmers. According to Prof. Nirmala Chongtham, the World Bamboo Ambassador from India and Coordinator of DST-CPR at PU, Chandigarh, an agreement has been signed between the WBO and Vietnam government on 18th September to hold the 4th World Bamboo Workshop in Vietnam in 2022.

Research Scholar of Department of Environment Studies, PU, won First prize

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Chandigarh September 20, 2021

Nitasha Vig

Nitasha Vig, Ph.D. Research Scholar of Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, won First prize for her research paper in Virtual National Conference on Emerging Trends to Heal the Earth and Environment (ETHEE), held on 18th September 2021.  Nitasha Vig presented paper on “Evaluation of heavy metal pollution in groundwater and associated health risk in the proximity of a Coal Thermal Power Plant”. The co-authors of this study also include Dr. Suman Mor, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University Chandigarh and Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh.  The jury members appreciated the work presented by Nitasha as it included robust statistical analysis and interpretation. She examined the extent and spread of heavy metal pollution in groundwater near a coal power plant. Arsenic and lead pollution were associated with identifiable human health risks, if used for drinking purposes.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University Chandigarh, congratulated Nitasha for the prize. This conference was jointly organized by saving the Environment (STE), Kolkata and School of Interdisciplinary and Department of Trans-Disciplinary Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

AWARDS TO VOLUNTEERS OF NSS-PU

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Chandigarh September 20, 2021

Mohd. Amzad
Ms. Ritika Verma

It is a matter of great pride and honour for Panjab University that two volunteers of NSS-PU, Ms. Ritika Verma of Department of Anthropology, PU and Mohd. Amzad of Post Graduate Govt. College, Sector -11 are to be awarded in virtual ceremony on 24th September, 2021 by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.                 

Prof. Ashwani Koul, Programme Coordinator congratulated both the volunteers for the great accomplishment and appreciated them for outstanding performance. Prof. Koul further asked all volunteers to aspire more in life so as to reach these milestones and motivated them to contribute more in dealing with various societal and ecological issues. NSS team of Panjab University is always at forefront and consistently contributing significantly to society in all possible ways.

NATIONAL WEBINAR ON RETHINK WHAT YOU EAT

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Chandigarh September 17, 2021

The University Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management, Panjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with Chandigarh chapter of Indian Dietetic Association and Nutrition Society of India organized a National Webinar on- Rethink What you Eat to celebrate National Nutrition Month, September 2021 under the able guidance of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof Raj Kumar making us strive towards excellence.

            Dr. Anish Slath, Director, UIHTM, welcomed the speaker and participants and gave an overview for the need to know what you are eating for well being.

            Dr. Nancy Sahni, Dietitian, PGIMER, Chandigarh delivered an exhaustive and enlightening talk on mindful eating. She gave an insight on ultra processed foods. Myths on packaged foods, fruits, sugars and fats were busted. She explained how the food labels must be read so that we know the nutrients we are eating. Intake of sodium, sugar and fats needs to be monitored. Various reasons for eating such foods were deliberated on. We must know what we eat, what our family eats and what is fed to all. The talk was an eye opener. She stressed on knowing what types of nutrients are we consuming. Mindful eating is the key to maintain healthy life. She motivated the participants to make nutrition their hobby for a healthy life.

            The question answer session, followed by the vote of thanks was conducted by Ms. Kalyani Singh. The webinar got an overwhelming response from participants joining it from various streams of life.

Webinar on “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)”

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Chandigarh September 16, 2021

Under its webinar series on Flagship Schemes of Government of India, The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), organized a Webinar on “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)”. This webinar was organized in association with IIPA’s Punjab & Chandigarh Regional and Department of Public Administration, Panjab University.

Shri Surendra Nath Tripathi, IAS (Retd), Director General of IIPA made the opening remark on IIPA’s webinar series and the PMAY (Urban) scheme of Government of India. Linking housing with the idea of identity, he highlighted the importance of affordable housing and the role PMAY (U) is playing in it. He also talked about the status and nature of efforts in Punjab towards provision of affordable housing.

The opening remarks were followed by introduction of the theme of the Webinar by Prof. B.S. Ghuman, Honorary Secretary, IIPA’s Punjab & Chandigarh Regional Branch. He welcomed all the Key Speakers and guests on behalf of the IIPA’s Punjab and Chandigarh Regional branch. Prof. Ghuman placed housing as one of the three basic necessities alongside food and clothing. He contextualized issue of urban housing within the broader trend of increasing concentration of population in urban areas, making cities the future engines of growth.

The first presentation was made by the Key Speaker Dr. Akshaya Kumar Sen, Joint General Manager (Economics) and Fellow Human Settlement Management Institute, HUDCO, New Delhi. Dr. Sen gave a detailed introduction to the PMAY (U) scheme. He underscored the importance of PMAY (U) in terms of its enormity with respect to scale, space and performance. Dr. Sen also mentioned the UN’s Habitat III New Urban Agenda that focuses on integrating housing in the broader National Urban Policies and the way PMAY (U) is aligning with this goal. He further analyzed the skewed flow of finances with respect to affordable housing and the efforts made under PMAY (U) while integrating with other schemes such as AMRUT, SMART Cities and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to mobilize resources. The second Key Speaker was Dr Sunita Handa Khurana, Former Director, Institute of Secretariat Training & Management, Government of India. Dr Khurana started by situating the issue of Housing within the framework of Fundamental Rights as it has been linked to the Right to Life by the Honorable Supreme Court of India. Dr. Khurana also delve into the concept of distinction between shelter, housing and adequate and affordable housing and the way PMAY (U) is taking up the challenge of urban housing shortage. The consistent increase in decadal growth of urbanization has made the earlier targets of housing for all remains unfulfilled. The third Key Speaker Prof K.K. Pandey Professor & Coordinator, Centre for Urban Studies at IIPA highlighted the role and capacity building of Urban local bodies in implementing PMAY (U). The fourth Key Speaker, Shri Baldeep Singh, Technical Director Punjab State Urban Livelihood Mission Directorate of Local Government, Punjab shed light on the scenario of construction of affordable housing in Punjab.

In the end, thanking all the key speakers and guests on behalf of the Department of Public Administration and IIPA’s Punjab & Chandigarh Regional Branch, the formal Vote of Thanks was proposed by the Dr Bharati Garg, Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator, Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Unravelling the Mind through Breath- Webinar at UIFT

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Chandigarh September 16, 2021

University Institute of Fashion Technology and Vocational Development (UIFT), Panjab University, Chandigarh conducted an engaging Webinar on the topic of ‘Unravelling the Mind through Breath’ on the 16th of September,2021 on the Google meet platform. This was the second lecture in the series of Mind Marathon, which the Chairperson UIFT&VD, Dr. Anu H. Gupta, had initiated, to improve the mental health of the students and staff. Around 85 participants-Faculty, staff, students and research scholars attended the session.

Priya Thukral, an alumnus of Panjab University and the speaker for the webinar, shared her knowledge on the practices of meditation in this age of mental anxiety. She made the session interactive by urging the students to open up their minds by making them do certain exercises like “Bhastrika” followed by meditation. In her introduction she talked about the focused and the unfocused mind, and how the role of breath plays a significant role in channelling the untamed energy of the mind. The objective of the exercises was to dig in deeper self through meditation to unravel the joy within.

The students responded with great enthusiasm and found the webinar very useful, as they could share their everyday anxiety issues. The session turned out to be promising for all, as Priya helped connect the mind, the emotions and the body, into a joyful harmony.

Engineering’s Day @ Panjab University

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Chandigarh September 16, 2021

“Mission @Atma Nirbhar Bharat: Engineers at the Forefront”

Panjab University Alumni Association (PUAA) in collaboration with Dr. S.S.B.U.I.C.E.T, Panjab University; U.I.E.T, Panjab university and U.I.E.T, Hoshiarpur organized a webinar “Mission @Atma Nirbhar Bharat: Engineers at the Forefront” to commemorate Engineer’s Day on September 15, 2021. Over 450 delegates over different diciplines participated in the event. Since 1968, September 15 is marked as Engineers’ Day in India, as a tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya and to honour and acknowledge all engineers for their pivotal role in making our planet better and technologically advanced.

At the onset, Prof. Anupama Sharma, Dean Alumni Relations welcomed the guests, distinguished speakers and participants and introduced the theme of the event. She acknowledged the leadership and tutelage of honorable Vice Chancellor for ensuring renewed vigour in academics. She highlighted that the salient contributions by the engineers has made India a technological giant in the field of information technology, pharmaceutical sciences and defence. She greeted all the brilliant engineers who are constantly striving towards the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat through their amazing innovations. When India speaks of becoming self-reliant, it doesn’t advocate a self-centred system. In Hon’ble PM, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of self-reliance and being a five trillion economy; there is a concern for the whole world’s happiness, cooperation and peace. She highlighted that all the four eminent speakers are proud alumni of Panjab University.

Chief guest Mr. Anuj Dhir, Vice-President and Business Head, Commercial Lighting Business Wipro Enterprise Ltd. inaugurated the event. Sharing his views, he opined that in everyday life and in all domains, we can observe the impact the engineers have made through their efforts. He shared that preparing engineers to become facilitators of sustainable development, using appropriate technology, and being social and economic change agents is one of the greatest challenges faced by the engineering profession today. Further, applauding the role of engineers in nation building, he said that engineering fraternity has to make concerted efforts as  they can drive this nation towards a leadership position in the world and be a Vishwa Guru.

Prof. Amrit Pal Toor, Chairperson, Dr. SSBUICET, Panjab University noted that in this technological age, the power of the engineers in shaping the society and environment is all pervading and can profoundly affect the lives of all sections of the society. Engineers must complement their technical and analytical capabilities with a broad understanding of social, environmental, economic, cultural, and ethical aspects.

Dr. Chitra Rajagopalan, Distinguished Scientist and Former Director General (R&M), DRDO made a very vivid presentation “Self Reliance in Integrated Safety Management in Defence” highlighting path breaking research by DRDO in the defence sector through many videos. She said that the defence sector is one of the strategic sectors of the Indian economy that has the potential for tremendous growth. She shared that DRDO is not only excelling in defence sector, but also doing excellent work in the areas of biotechnology, material science, fire safety equipments and apparels, naval research by developing innovative, niche, and cutting-edge technologies.

Prof. Renu Wig, Former director, UIET opined that considering the problems facing our planet today, the engineering profession must revisit its mindset and adopt a new mission statement – to contribute to the building of a more sustainable, stable, and equitable world. Engineers provide the bridge between science and society. In this role, engineers must actively promote and participate in multidisciplinary teams with other professionals.

Mr Ajay Gupta, Vice-President and Head, Strategy, Ericsson shared his views on  “Transformation of Industries” highlighting the paradigm shift that has occurred with rapid changes in technology. He shared the developments which have taken place in product delivery and warehousing through sharing of success stories of Amazon and Walmart on global logistics.  He also shared about the transformation of technology in mining and agriculture at different levels of digitalization. Mr Gupta interacted with students and faculty members and answered their queries. He said that nowadays there are great opportunities for engineers who are passing out provided they develop deep understanding for the subject, hone their skills and acquire knowledge in allied domains like AI, IOT through online courses.

Prof. H. S. Bains, Director, UIET, SSGPURC, Hoshiarpur highlighted that the new role of engineering, demands new practices based on social-environmental factors rather than just business goals. The Impetus of engineering profession is now on rebuilding after the pandemic and to enhance India’s global competitiveness and making it an innovation hub. .

Er. Yogesh Kalia, CTO, Medhaavi Centre for Automotive Research highlighted the tremendous potential of initiating an entrepreneurial venture due to the enabling environment.  Sharing journey of his startup with their core-competency in the field of electronics & its applications in automobile sector. Through numerous examples, he stressed how innovations have increased the use of electronics in automobile and helped automobile companies to offer more safety, comfort & also environment friendly cars. He talked about how engineers have contributed to enhance the knowledge and integrataion of mechanical engineering and electronics for sustainable mobility. He shared his experiences regarding development of new technologies in the automobile sector, which was mostly based on electronic systems.

Prof. H.S. Bains proposed a vote of thanks and hoped more events will be organized in a collaborative mode for spread of knowledge.