Guru Ramdas School of Planning celebrated its Golden Jubilee

Planners should be proactively engaged in preparing urbanization policy and plan making for quality life: Minister of Local Bodies

Amritsar, December 19 (Punjab Post Bureau) – At the eve of Golden Jubilee celebrations of Guru Ramdas School of Planning of the Guru Nanak Dev University, Minister of Local Bodies, Govt of Punjab Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar applauded the role of Guru Ramdas School of Planning and stressed upon it to further contribute to urban and regional development of the state of Punjab for common good and upliftment of the masses. He was here to preside over this prestigious event as the chief guest. He stressed that planners should be proactively engaged in preparing urbanization policy and plan making for quality life in the cities. Dr. Nijjar also inaugurated the planning exhibition and interacted with staff and students showing his deep concern for urban problems in particular and the need for finding optimal and implementable solutions. A series of events were also organized at various venues in the University to marked the occasion.

The celebrations began with the inaugural session of the National Seminar on ‘Planning Education’ which was presided over by the Minister of Local Bodies. Dr Meshram, Former President of Indian Institute of Planners was the Guest of Honour and Mr Pankaj Bawa, Chief Town Planner, Punjab & the first Chief Town Planner in the country with a B. Plan degree was also one of the dignitaries on the dias.

Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Head of Dept welcomed the dignitaries after which Mr Pankaj Bawa, Chief Town Planner ,Dr. Meshram, Dr Pradeep Kapoor and Dr Jit Kumar Gupta addressed the audience appraising them about the role of the School as well as planning discipline in its contribution to regional and national development.

Dr D.S. Meshram shared his journey as founder teacher of the school and his contributions in the development of the department. He pointed out that the school should revisit its course curriculum for different programmes in line with NEP 2020 and incorporate the recommendations of the report on Reforms in urban planning capacity in India. Mr. Pankaj Bawa also raised pertinent concerns to revamp the course curriculum as per future planning needs.

A technical academic session was also conducted which saw the exchange of ideas and deliberations amongst the key speakers, Dr. Harjinder Singh, Mr Pradeep Kapoor and Prof Sarup Singh presented their views on planning education and stressed upon the need to innovate and visualize future requirements for producing planners who could create liveable cities in times ahead. A lively discussion ensued thereafter in which the key speakers, the students and alumni of the school actively participated. On this occasion a vibrant cultural programme was also organized in which the students and the school alumni displayed their extra- curricular skills.