SRINAGAR: The Department of Sociology at Amar Singh College successfully organised a One Day National Conference on Friday on the critical theme “Sustainable Srinagar: Building Resilience in Fragile Ecosystems”, aligning with the national vision of Mission Viksit Bharat 2047. The conference was sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).
The inaugural ceremony commenced with distinguished dignitaries gracing the occasion. Shantmanu (IAS), Financial Commissioner, Higher Education Department, and Additional Chief Secretary, J&K Government, inaugurated the conference as the Chief Guest. He was joined on the stage by Prof Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Director Colleges, Higher Education Department, J&K; Prof SeemaNaaz, Nodal Principal, Kashmir Division Colleges; Prof Aijaz Ahmad Hakak, Principal, Amar Singh College & Co-Patron; Prof WilayatRizvi, Registrar, Cluster University Srinagar; Prof Khurshid Ahmad Mir, Controller, Cluster University Srinagar; and Dr ShabnumAra, Head, Department of Sociology, Amar Singh College & Conference Convener.
Dr ShabnumAra introduced the conference theme and provided an overview of the associated ICSSR project. Prof Aijaz Ahmad Hakak, Principal, Amar Singh College and Co-Patron of the conference, extended a warm welcome and led the felicitation of the esteemed guests.
Dr Tariq Ahmad Raja, the Chief Scientist at the Department of Statistics, SKAUST, emphasized the importance of utilizing advanced technologies such as AI to foster sustainable development. Prof Manoj Kumar Teotia from the Department of Sociology at CRRID, Chandigarh, presented the keynote address during the event, advocating for innovative and sustainable development in Srinagar city while ensuring the protection and revitalization of its natural ecosystems.
Prof SeemaNaaz, Nodal Principal of Kashmir Division Colleges and Principal of the Government College of Education, also shared her thoughts during the event, extending her congratulations to Amar Singh College for hosting such a timely and relevant conference.
Prof Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Director of Colleges in the Higher Education Department of J&K and Patron of the Conference, delivered a special address, urging for increased awareness regarding sustainable development goals at both administrative and societal levels to effectively utilize natural resources and establish sustainable initiatives.
Financial Commissioner of the Higher Education Department and Additional Chief Secretary of the J&K Government, provided his remarks as the chief guest at the occasion. He stressed the need to preserve the traditional ecosystems and socio-cultural heritage of Srinagar city and the rest of Kashmir valley. He commended Amar Singh College for organizing such a dynamic and pertinent conference that fosters ideas and frameworks to inform future policies.
A significant highlight was the release of the Amar Singh College Newsletter by the dignitaries.
On the occasion, Financial Commissioner of the Higher Education Department and Additional Chief Secretary of the J&K Government, also felicitated Prof Naseer Ahmad Lone, Dean of Sciences at Cluster University Srinagar, along with Prof Nazir Ahmad Kuttay, Dean of Social Sciences at Cluster University Srinagar, who will be retiring on the 31st of this month.
The stage proceedings were adeptly moderated by Numan Sofi and Saniya Mukhtar, UG students at the college. The inaugural session concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr Syed Umrah from the Department of English. Following the inaugural ceremony, Shantmanu planted a tree sapling in the college campus.
The daylong conference delved deep into the complexities of sustainable development, urbanization, and ecological protection through four parallel technical sessions. Nearly 40 research papers were presented in both offline and online mode, exploring diverse themes like Urban Sustainability and Planning, Environmental Stewardship, Community Engagement, Viksit Bharat 2047 goals, Urban Development, Sustainable Tourism, Youth Empowerment, Inclusive Growth, etal.
The conference served as a vital platform for academia, policymakers, and experts to collaborate and generate actionable insights for building a resilient and sustainable future for Srinagar.