Media Release
Mangalore, Sep 17: Pragati – 2010, a one day symposium on ‘Ethos, business opportunities and ecology in Dakshina Kannada’ was held at Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology (AIMIT), of St Aloysius College (autonomous), Beeri here on Thursday September 16.
The symposium was an effort in creating environmental awareness and appreciating the interrelationship between man, his culture and his bio-physical surroundings. It gave a comprehensive environmental framework and outlines the social responsibility of corporate giants in the city to save the environment.
The inaugural ceremony began with a short presentation on the environment issues on global as well as the grass root level. The college choir invoked God’s blessings through a prayer song. The dignitaries present on the dais were Dr Saji Gopinath, director of TAPMI, Fr Joseph Rodrigues SJ, the rector of Aloysian Institutions, Mangalore, Fr Denzil Lobo SJ, director, AIMIT, Dr Oswald Mascharenhas SJ, chairman, MBA, Dr Rowena Wright, faculty co-ordinator, Norwin Rego the student co-ordinator and Govil Saldanha, the management club secretary.
The faculty coordinator Dr Rowena Wright welcomed the gathering. Norwin Rego, the student coordinator gave an insight of Pragati and the relevance of the theme chosen this year. Dr Saji Gopinath, the keynote speaker of the inaugural function shared vital points on how growth need not necessarily lead to development and how business opportunities not just satisfy profit motive but also should be ecologically feasible. He also focussed on other vital aspects which if followed would surely benefit the students to a greater extent.
Fr Denzil Lobo, director, AIMIT, stressed on the importance of being aware about the environmental issues such as global warming and related issues around us. Fr. Joseph Rodrigues, the rector of Aloysian Institutes of Mangalore spoke on the exploitations of natural resources and how some of these adversities could be solved. The inaugural ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Govil Saldanha, the management club secretary.
Session I was on ‘Environmental pollution and protection along the Mangalore coast. The resource persons were Dr G Sriniketan , professor and dean, department of Chemical Engineering, NIT-K, Suratkal, Dr S M Shivaprakash, department of Fisheries and Resources Management and Dr Savitha Periera, MBA – SDM.
Session 2 was on ‘Encouraging environmental sustainability in the wake of industrial growth’. The session was co-ordinated by Dr Kusum. The resource persons for the session were Dr Walter D’Souza and T R Bhat.
Session 3 was on ‘Emerging economic trends in corporate social responsibility’. The resource persons were Kariappa MTech in Environment Technology from NIT Allahabad, Dr Smitha Hegde HOD department of Bio-Technology at St Aloysius College- was the chairperson and Dr Oswald Mascarenhas, chairman of MBA-AIMIT.
Session 4 was the panel discussion on the theme ‘Ethos, business opportunities and ecology in Dakshina Kannada. The panellists were Dr Leo D’Souza SJ, St Aloysius College,
Sumith Rao, Industrialst Upendra Hosabettu of Parisara Vokkuta Vidya Dinker, environmentalist Fr Francis Almeida SJ chaired the session.
Valedictory Ceremony
A fruitful day of discussion, interaction, learning and knowledge flowing around at the speed of sound came to an end with the valedictory at 5 pm.. The concepts put forth have made everyone ponder are we the part of the problems or are we a part of the solution. The wisdom that everyone discerned will enable them to be a better citizen and a better child to mother earth.
The dignitaries on the dais were Fr Swebert D’Silva, pricipal St Aloysius College, Fr Denzil Lobo, director, AIMIT, Fr Oswald Mascarenhas, chairman, MBA, Dr Shridar, dean, MBA and Dr Rowena Wright, faculty coordinator- Pragati-2010. The college choir led the gathering into prayer. Rohan Fernandes welcomed the chief guest and gathering.
The students from various colleges who participated in the symposium gave a positive feedback of the symposium and appreciated the input given by resource persons who gave insightful knowledge on the environmental issues, and take the ideas presented and implement and that would be the real success of the event.
Fr Oswald Mascarenhas SJ, chairman MBA, in his valedictory message suggested five learning’s that students should take with them and implement in their life. He also asked all the students to take saplings donated by the forest department to be planted at the place of their choice and nurture them.
Fr Swebert D’Silva SJ in his address to the gathering stressed on the aspect that everyone should have a vision, a vision for our mother earth. Fr Swebert D’Silva gave away certificates to the participating colleges. Suraksha proposed the vote of thanks.