Gurbani message relevance for Fighting Pollution world over – Seminar Experts

Amritsar, October 30 (Punjab Post Bureau) – Experts converging at day-long national conference on ‘Health and Environment as Envisioned in Gurbani’ at Khalsa College of Physical Education today called for all out concerted efforts to check pollution  that is devastating every part of life on planet. They said the messages of the Gurus enshrined in Gurbani to safeguard soil, water and environment were still relevant.

Chancellor, Central University, Palampur, Hiamchal Pradesh Dr. H.S Bedi gave elaborated references from the Guru Granth Sahib saying environment protection is central to the whole philosophy. He also blamed blind following of western model of development that has played havoc with the environment.

Punjab Pollution Control Board Chairman and former Professor Dr. Adarsh Kumar Wig gave detailed account of their Board’s programs to check pollution including educating the farmers not to burn stubbles in the fields. He said the government was planning to honours the farmers who stop burning ‘Parali’ and stressed on individual efforts required to take on the environmental hazards including air, water and climatic degradation.

Khalsa College Governing Council honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina meanwhile said the governments were failing to address the rising threat of the environmental pollution. He asked the government to ensure blanket ban on the use of plastic bags in state. He said the farmers, industry or corporate, all must understand that we have reached the point of no return and we need to address the mammoth problem of pollution.

Former Vice Chancellor of Guru Granth Sahib University and Khalsa University, Dr. Gurmohan Singh Walia in his address said the environment and health are inter-connected but the irony is that we are playing havoc with the environment but hoping

to gain good health. This, he said, was not possible and carbon emissions have to be stopped. He also quoted Gurbani verses to point out how our philosophy guides us to live in harmony with Nature.

Earlier Principal Dr. Kanwaljit Singh welcomed the speakers and guests and honoured them with green plants. He said purpose of the seminar was to make people aware about the sustainable use of resources and motivating one and all to take part in environment friendly activities and making our environment pollution free.