CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) organised the Second Alumni Meet on December 14-15 in the NEERI Auditorium. The Meet was inaugurated jointly by Dr. Prashant Gargava, Member-Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB); Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI; Dilip Kamdar, Director, VNIT Alumni Association; Dr. Pawan Labhasetwar, Head, Water Technology & Management Division, CSIR-NEERI; and Dr. C V Chalapati Rao, Former Chief Scientist, CSIR-NEERI.
While addressing the participants, Dr. Rakesh Kumar said that the alumni of CSIR-NEERI should take its accomplishments further to benefit the society. The first alumni meet held in 2017 was just a grand reunion, but now is the time to scale up the partnership, he added. He urged the CSIR-NEERI alumni to more contribute in the Institute’s outreach programmes. He informed that CSIR-NEERI has recently launched the ‘Jagruti’ programme to guide people on various environmental issues. The CSIR-NEERI’s Alumni Association and NGOs can significantly contribute in this nation-wide programme, he added. He also briefed about the latest noteworthy contributions of CSIR-NEERI.
While delivering the lead speech on ‘future belongs to cooperation and collaboration’, Kamdar gave an example of ‘genome mapping’ as a power of collaboration. We need to build on the momentum, intensify strategic dialogues and enhance cooperation, he added. Dr. Gargava spoke about the reminiscences of his tenure at CSIR-NEERI which created a congenial atmosphere among the alumni.
It was followed by various activities and events in which all the alumni participated joyfully with enthusiasm and happiness. Few of the alumni spoke their nostalgic moments and shared their memories. Some alumni briefed about their plans to facilitate the growth of the Institute.
During the alumni meet, a panel discussion was held on ‘CSIR-NEERI Alumni Vision 2022’.
The discussion was also held on some significant environmental projects to be undertaken by the CSIR-NEERI alumni.
The Chief Guest Sandip Joshi, Mayor, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) inaugurated the office of CSIR-NEERI Alumni Association. He urged the scientists to significantly contribute to improve the environment of Nagpur. Nagpur Municipal Corporation will give all possible help in this regard, he added. Dr. Ramesh Daryapurkar gave a brief outline of the two-day event. Dr. Labhasetwar proposed the vote of thanks.
During the alumni meet, a cycle rally and walkathon was organised to spread awareness about Energy Conservation and Management as a part of the Energy Conservation Week. A renowned marathon runner Vaibhav Andhare flagged off the walkathon and Gayatri Andhare, a renowned cyclist, flagged off the cycle rally from CSIR-NEERI.
To mark the occasion, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI said that such initiative helps to reduce the carbon and ecological footprint. Dr. Nitin Labhsetwar, Chief Scientist and Head, Energy Resource Management Division, CSIR-NEERI emphasised on the use of a bicycle, especially for short distances to mitigate vehicular and noise pollution. The cycle rally and walkathon was organised by Dr. Debishree Khan, Dr. Ankit Gupta, Dr. Hemant Bherwani, Dr. Avneesh Anshul, Dr Lakshmikanthan P.