MANDI GOBINDGARH: Desh Bhagat University hosted the 27th Punjab Science Congress, a three-day national conference on "Science Biodiversity and Technology: Tools for Sustainable Development Goals, " under the auspices of The Punjab Academy of Sciences (PAS).
The esteemed Chief Guest, Dr. S.S. Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU Ludhiana, inaugurated the event and unveiled the poster and souvenir of the 27th Punjab Science Congress. In his inaugural address, Dr. Gosal underscored the importance of actionable strategies to prepare Punjab for sustainability. He emphasized utilizing the congress not only for discussions on challenges but also for devising concrete plans towards building a sustainable and resilient culture.
Dr. Abhijit H. Joshi, Vice-Chancellor of DBU, welcomed the participants, while Dr. H.K. Sidhu, the Organizing Secretary, provided an introduction to The Punjab Academy of Sciences.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Jai Rup Singh, Former VC of Central University Bathinda, highlighted the intricate relationship between diet, metabolism, and health outcomes. He emphasized the significance of dietary diversity and its impact on human health from pre-birth stages, cautioning against the overuse of refined foods, medicines, and antibiotics, which could lead to decreased microbial diversity and increased susceptibility to diseases.
The event was graced by Chancellor Dr. Zora Singh, Pro Chancellor Tajinder Kaur, President Dr. Sandeep Singh, Vice President Dr. Harsh Sadawarti, and other esteemed dignitaries. Dr. I.J.S. Bansal provided an overview of PAS, while Dr. Tarlok Singh, Secretary of PAS, presented awards to the deserving recipients. Notably, the Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon Prof. Bhupinder Singh Bhoop, and Honorary Fellowships were bestowed upon Prof. Yashpal Singh Malik, Dr. B.L. Bhardwaj, and Dr. Ashok Kumar Malik. The Engineer Gurcharan Singh Oration Award was presented to Dr. Jaspreet Singh Dhillon, and the Desh Bhagat Sardar Lal Singh Oration Award was bestowed upon Dr. B.L. Bhardwaj, VC of MMU Ambala.
In a significant development, Dr. S.S. Gosal, VC of PAU, inaugurated the Agrometeorology Observatory at DBU, marking a milestone in collaborative efforts towards agricultural research and innovation.
The 27th Punjab Science Congress served as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, paving the way for actionable strategies aimed at fostering sustainability and resilience in Punjab's socio-economic fabric.