Experts Discuss Research in Plant Sciences at National Seminar in MCM

By 121 News Reporter

Chandigarh 22^nd February:-- The Botany Department of MCM DAV College for Women Chandigarh organised a National Seminar on ‘Glimpses of Research in Plant Sciences', here today. The event was sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, under the Star College Scheme. Dr. Neelam Gulati Sharma, Director, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, was the chief guest. The seminar kicked off with the keynote address by Professor A.S.Ahluwalia, Chairperson of Botany Department, Panjab University. Speaking on ‘Potential of Microbial Photoautotrophs in Sustainable Development of Punjab’, he hailed microalgae as the future of bio-fuels and stressed upon the fact that contribution to environment should be given precedence over consumerism, if sustainable development is to be made a reality.

Another distinguished speaker at the seminar was Dr. Anil Sood, Chief Scientist and Head, Division of Biotechnology, Business Development and Marketing, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, HP. In his speech- ‘Bamboos-The Wonder of Nature’, he sensitised the audience about the diversified uses and potential of bamboo-‘The Greengold of the forests’ which has 1500 recorded uses.                                                 

In his lecture titled- ‘Mushroom Biology, Cultivation and Nutritive value’, Dr. Manjit Singh, Director, Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan, HP, enlightened the audience about the role of fungi in our daily life and the ways the benefits of mushrooms can be harnessed.

Various illustrious delegates from Panjab, Haryana, Himachal and the tricity participated in this National Seminar. Another highlight of the seminar was inter-college Poster making competition-cum-exhibition on the theme SAVE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT which witnessed enthusiastic participation. The informative address by the experts was followed by an interactive session. The event culminated with a prize distribution function for the Poster making competition in which the host college students, Yashika Negi, Bhawna and Daman Grewal, Nancy Sidana clinched the 1^st and 2^nd position respectively while the third position was bagged by Puneet Sharma and Tenzin Phentok of DAV College, Sector 10.

 The Principal of the college, Dr Puneet Bedi appreciated the assiduous endeavour of the department and exerted upon the need to conserve our natural resources for a better future of our planet.