Only ethical relationship with nature in the present world can help mitigate climate challenge.’ Need felt while paying befitting tribute to Gaura Devi, Chipko founder !

Dehradun, May 30

In a befitting tribute to environmental icon Gaura Devi, Doon University organised first Gaura Devi Memorial National Debate Competition where students from 28 universities across India fiercely debated on the theme ‘Only ethical relationship with nature in the present world can help mitigate climate challenge.’

Organised by VATSALYA: The Literary and Debating Club of Doon University, the students, while speaking for and against the motion, enthralled audiences with their remarkable speaking, argument constituting and critical engagement skills while passionately making deliberations for and against the motion.

“This is a befitting tribute to Gaura Devi, who is the first global eco-feminist and thus the icon of bravery of heroic women who defied the government and its powerful bureaucrats to conserve tress,” Vice Chancellor Surekha Dangwal, the main inspiration behind organizing this national debate, said.

“Doon University attempts to integrate Gaura Devi’s persona, Chipko women’s images and their message as part of university’s several activities on relevant themes of women, environment, social movement, gender justice and social change,” she said.

Professor Dangwal said that the university is oragnising a series of activities as part of G20 presidency of India and while organising such events are important for learning and awareness, such competitions also help students boost their level of confidence and remove the hesitation of public speaking while enhancing their capacities to engage critically and constitute powerful and logical arguments.

In order to pay true homage to Gaura Devi, Doon University will organize this national debate every year on themes relevant to the issues Gaura Devi symbolizes.

This debate is part of a series of activities Doon University is organizing as part of 76 universities identified by Ministry of External Affairs to spread awareness among youth and academic community in the country about the G20 Presidency of India

A total of 28 universities from all over the nation participated in the competition coming from various institutions including Jamia Millia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, Delhi University, Indraprastha university, Graphic Era and many others.

Under the Hindi category the First Prize was bagged by Mehek of DAV PG College (Dehradun), the Second prize to Nishanth of Aligarh Muslic University, while the Third Prize was baggedby Shivani of DAV PG College (Dehradun).

Similarly among those making their presentations in English, first prize was bagged by Sudeep Krishna of Jamial Milia Islamia, second prize by Divyajyoti Tripathi of Jamia Milia Islamia while third Prize went to Jaya Sharma of Doon University. Jamia Milia Islamia was declared as overall champion by the jury.

The panel of jury consisted of Dr. Anjali Verma, an accomplished academician and social worker, Dr. Anju Bhatt, Associate Professor at Government Degree College, Barkot and journalist Rahul Kotiyal, founder and editor of baramasa.in, a media house based in Uttarakhand.

Professor Durgesh Pant, Director General of UCOST, while gracing the occasion as Chief Guest said that climate Change is no more an academic debate. “It is now a worrisome fact and severe reality in which extreme climate conditions are now being accepted as new normal. The debates and churning today over this issue should mean a miniscule but important positive step towards mitigation,” Professor Pant said.

Professor H C Purohit, Dean of Students Welfare, said that the Doon University is committed to organise events on themes that are critical and relevant. Environmenta ethics have to be taken into consideration in the context of a variety of activities such as manufacturing, housing, agriculture and energy production and consumption,” Professor Purohit said.

Dr Chetana Pokhriyal, Coordinater of Cultural Committee and Dr Arun Kumar, Head of Department of Chemistry guided the Vatsalya team in their endeavour. Tanisha Rawat, Convener of literary society organised the event and was assisted by her team members Maneesha, Sneha Kothiyal, Nidhi, Sanjana, Komal, Sanyam, Prakhar, Aman, Sneha Maithani, Aryan, Om and the NCC cadets.

Doon University Registrar Dr M S Mandrawal, Professor R P Mangain, Professor Harsh Dobhal, Dr Rajesh Bhatt, Dr Sudhanshu Joshi, Dr Savita Karnatak and others were present on the occasion.

Belonging to a tribal family from Reni Village in the Alaknanda River Valley of Chamoli district in Garhwal, Gaura Devi is better known for fearlessly leading a group of women folk for physically hugging trees (later internationally known as Chipko movement) to stop those from felling by the axes of timber contractors in the 1970s. She symbolises the relevance of ethical environmental conservation, women’s leadership, community participation, women’s self-confidence and women’s determination to protect the ecology.

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