Nagpur: “The benefit of technological know-how in sorting out people’s problems is ascertained only when the technology reaches everybody, which is the need of the hour,” said Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Harshwardhan while speaking as chief guest to the function of observance of the World Environment Day at National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) here in the city on June 5.
On this occasion, he remembered the internationally acclaimed scientists like Dr Jagdeesh Chandra Bose and Dr C V Raman who were required to work under extremely adverse circumstances, and called upon the contribution of scientists and technologists of NEERI to take a pledge to make their reputed institution as well as the entire earth more beautiful, to mark the Day.
According to him, there is a need to build a positive and responsible consumer forum movement for development of healthy environment, keeping in view various types of growing pollution hazardous to human health. He called on the NEERI technocrats to join the growing awareness programme, being carried out across the world about safety and environment. He stressed the need to enhance useful thoughts for the coming young generation on the earth.
Dr Harshwardhan, on this occasion, inaugurated Green Museum built at NEERI and also flagged off the Mobile Laboratory Van, which would study the pollution. He informed the NEERI officials, such mobile vans have been developed in other metro-cities including Delhi too.
A book entitled ‘Lab to Land’ was released at the hands of Dr Harshvardhan to mark the event. He was apprised of other developments at NEERI, like, Bio-tech Park which would help in converting the city’s garbage into bio-fuel and a project that would ensure that anything considered as wastage in the nature is not at all a wastage.
The World Environment Day function was presided by Dr Madhukar Garg, director general of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research). He said, people should understand the value of environment and nothing (found on the earth) should considered as wastage. NEERI director Dr Satish Wate made the introductory remarks and gave details of various at-hand projects of NEERI. He gave out a message–“You protect the nature, and the nature will protect you.”
The dignitaries present on the occasion included Guardian Minister of Nagpur and Maharashtra Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLA Sudhakar Deshmukh, MLC Anil Sole and others.
