Padma Bhushan Dr. Anil P. Joshi, Founder, HESCO calls for change in GDP-led measure to Gross Environmental Product (GEP) at IGNOU Organized National Seminar on Environment, Society and Culture: Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SOITS) organized National Seminar on “Environment, Society and Culture: Interdisciplinary Perspectives”.  Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan Dr. Anil P. Joshi, Founder, HESCO and Ms. Arushi Nishank, Co-Founder & Chairperson, SPARSH GANGA were the key-note speakers at the inaugural session and shared  invaluable insights in to the seminar topic which has immense relevance in today’s world.

Prof. K. B. Das, Pro-VC IGNOU while welcoming the key-speakers provided a glimpse to their outstanding works in the field of holistic environmental sustainable development. He said the two present two very different generations giving different approaches to the same end-goal of environmental conservation which is very contemporary and pertinent topic for all of us.

Dr. Shubhangi Vaidya, Director SOITS provided the brief on the day-long seminar’s deliberations and highlighted the need for interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues. She also covered the school's vision and programmes offered from certificate to doctoral level. Dr. Boyina Rupini, Associate Professor, SOITS, Seminar coordinator and organizing secretary gave the background on the seminar and its conceptualization and why it is imperative to have a multi-dimensional perspective viz., personal, institutional, societal to solve the impending environmental problems.

Dr. Anil P. Joshi in his key-note address urged to change the industrial measure of quantifying the welfare of humankind in terms of economic developments, i.e., Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to Gross Environmental Product (GEP). He said the environment degradation done in the name of economic development only benefits the few and the loss that this industrial lifestyle brings to the nature is not quantified. He said environment conservation is everybody’s responsibility and for that we need to do away with the existing lifestyle and embrace our Indian traditions which are rooted in the respect for the nature that nurtures us.

Ms. Arushi Nishank advocated coexisting with the environment with integrated approach to tackle the ills affecting our mother earth. She urged everyone to do their bit to save the environment.

Prof. Nageshwar Rao, VC IGNOU in his presidential address thanked the key-note speakers for their time-relevant awakening words which he said we all need to mull over and contribute in protecting our natural wealth like rivers, forests which are fast depleting. He said that we humans have done ourselves a great disservice by forgetting our traditions that teach us to treat Mother Nature as our legacy for the future generations.  He complimented the school for organizing the seminar which would create awareness for the conservation of the environment.