NSS Bureau of KIIT-DU & KISS-DU organized One-Day National Webinar on “Challenges for NSS Volunteers in Climate Change: An Initiative from KISS & KIIT NSS Bureau” on October 22, 2020 on the occasion of the platinum jubilee celebration of the UN.
The theme of the webinar was chosen to discuss the SDG Goal-13 of the United Nations. Dr. Kajal Parashar, Program Coordinator, KIIT NSS Bureau; Dr. Sujata Acharya, Director (Academics) and Principal, KISS-DU; Mr. R. Saida Naik, Regional Director, Regional Directorate of NSS Bhubaneswar; Dr. Surekha Sundari Swain, SNO-cum-Deputy Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha; Dr. Prashant Kumar Routray, CEO-cum-Registrar, KISS-DU; and Dr. Pramodini Jena, Program Officer, KISS NSS Bureau graced the inaugural session.
The first session was chaired by Sangeeta Parida, PO, KISS NSS Bureau. It started with an enlightening talk by Prof. Gopal Krishna Panda, Senior ICSSR Fellow, PG Dept.of Geography, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar on the topic “Climate Change and Critical trends in Environment and Development”.
The second speaker of the session, Mr. Kailash Chandra Dash, Executive Director, RCDC expressed his views on “Climate Changes: Sea Level Rise Challenges and NSS Volunteers” where he discussed the rising sea levels which are leaving the coastal areas vulnerable. Prof. Pradip Mohapatra, Former Principal, BJB Autonomous College spoke on the topic “Human Impact on Climate Change”. He went on to talk about how humans are solely responsible for climate change and how it is our responsibility to take action.
The second session was chaired by Prof. Jinia Kundu, PO, KIIT NSS Bureau. Prof. Lakshminarayan Satpati, Director Academics, Kolkata University spoke on “Climatology of the Tropical Cyclones – The Indian Context” where he talked about the different nuances of weather and climate and the reasons and science behind it. Dr. V.P. Upadhyay Advisor (Rtd), MoEF & CC, Govt. of India, graced the event and expressed his views on “Sustainable Ecosystem and Development issues”.
The third session was chaired by Dr. Amulya Ratna Nanda, Program Coordinator, KISS NSS Bureau. This session was mainly to get insights from volunteers on Climate Change. During this session, Prithvi Raj and Erum Ashrad, volunteers, NSS SCE, KIIT-DU gave their views on climate change. Sumitra Soren and Bhanumati Biswal, NSS volunteers, KISS NSS Bureau discussed on climate change. The Panel Discussion was moderated by Prof. Sruti S.Singh. The eminent panelists Prof Gopal Krishna Panda, Prof. Pradip Mohapatra and Prof. Lakshminarayan Satpati discussed in the session.
The event was held under the leadership of Dr. Kajal Parashar and Dr. Amulya Ratna Nanda. In her vote of thanks, Dr. Parashar expressed gratitude to Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS and all the authorities of KIIT-DU & KISS-DU for their constant support and motivation. She thanked all the dignitaries and the participants.
The Webinar was coordinated by Prof. Sital Dash, Program Officer, School of Computer Engineering, KIIT NSS Bureau, KIIT-DU; and Dr. Pramodini Jena, Program Officer, KISS NSS Bureau, KISS-DU.