Smart cities need smart citizens: Dr Ravindra

“Smart Cities won’t work without smart citizens”, said  Dr A Ravindra, Chairman, Smart Cities India Foundation during his speech at the inauguration programme on  Friday at the two-day national summit on ‘Smart Solution to Smart cities’ while expressing his views on the idea of smart city he gave inputs and solutions of making tomorrow’s city smart. He also added further solutions by giving examples of other developed countries and to start smart practices like water recycling and awareness towards use of technology, proper use of infrastructure etc.

The two-day National Summit took place at G H Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur campus under Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Smart City. The programme was inaugurated with the traditional lamp lightening ceremony at the hands of the Chief Guest Dr. A. Ravindra, Chairman Smart Cities India Foundation and Dr. Ramnath Sonawane, CEO Nagpur Smart City Project, Nagpur in the gracious presence of Dr Preeti Bajaj, Director, GHRCE, Dr Santosh Jaju, Deputy Director, GHRCE, Dr. Prashant Pawade, HoD, Civil Engineering and Dr. Prema Daigavane, HoD, Electrical Engineering.

“The only sign of progress is we must keep our self oppressed of time, if we have to keep our self oppressed of time we have to adopt new technology. Change is inevitable and those who do not accept change they extinguish. Technology has changed human lives which are helping for smart city development.” Dr Ramnath Sonawane expressed his thoughts for smart city and its solutions stressing over the use of technology and human behavioural change.

The aim of this national summit is to cover maximum aspects related to smart cities. The R&D credentials of the institute were highlighted by Dr Santosh Jaju, Dean R&D and Deputy Director, GHRCE. Dr Prema Daigavane, HoD, Electrical Engineering in her preamble address shared that more than 200 Participants have registered from Academic Institutions, Industries, Government Organizations and Students.

Day-1 highlights consisted Session-I on “Smart City Overview”, included keynotes by Prashant Mishra, CEO Click2Cloud Inc, USA / China on the topic ‘Case study on Shanghai smart city’, Talk by Rajiv Kher, Founder of 3S India, Pune on the topic ‘Innovation and Smart Sanitation’ and Panel Discussion-I by Panellist Dr. Ramnath Sonawane, CEO Nagpur Smart City Project, Nagpur, Prashant Mishra, CEO Click2Cloud Inc, USA / China and Rajiv Kher, Founder of 3S India, Pune and Dr. A. Ravindra, Chairman Smart Cities India Foundation was Moderator for panel discussion. Session-2 on “Green Energy”, Keynote by Dr. Faraz, GM PRDC on ‘Smart Grid in Smart Cities’, talk by Director Pmanifold, Rahul Bagdia,  on topic ‘Electric Vehicle’, followed talk by Project Director L&T Metro Communication Er. Santosh, on topic ‘Metro Communication’, followed Startup showcased talk by Arbaz Reza, Accelo Auto, Mumbai. Panel Discussion-II by Panellists Rahul Bagdia Director Pmanifold, Er. Santosh Project Director L&T Metro Communication and Prasanna Sutone and Dr. Faraz were the Moderator for panel discussion. Post lunch, Session-3 was “e-Governance” under “Idea Pitching Session”, consisted Talk-1 by Ravindra Pal Singh, Director, Dell EMC – Smart Cities on topic “Digital Disruption 3.0 transforming our cities”, Talk-2 by Er. Chokalingam, V.P. and Head, Operations L&T on topic “Government and Citizen Interaction through Smart City” and Talk-3 by Praful Gharpure, TCS on topic “e-Governance”.

The event showcased the start-up entrepreneurs wherein more than 16 budding entrepreneurs have displayed their start-ups which seeked attention of the participants during their visit to their outlet at the campus. The workshop on ‘IOT by IOTian Technologies’ was held.

Alexa (Technology), Vaishavi Rai, Mansi Choudhary and Vishakha Choithani compeered the programme. Organizing Committee of National Summit is working hard for the success of the program. HoD, Civil Engineering, Dr. Prashant Pawade proposed vote of thanks.