IIT Ropar Technology & Innovation Foundation (iHub AWaDH) successfully hosted the seventh edition of Punjab Samvad at IIT Ropar campus on Wednesday. This significant event focused on "Changing Environment of Punjab: The Biggest Challenge," bringing together experts, academics, innovators, and students to address pressing environmental concerns in the region.
The three-hour session saw a distinguished panel of speakers from diverse backgrounds including academia, environmental activism, and the startup ecosystem who provided comprehensive insights into Punjab's evolving environmental landscape and proposed actionable solutions.
A highlight of the event was the participation of over 60 students from Government School, Ropar, who engaged directly with experts and gained valuable knowledge about ecological challenges affecting their region. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Radhika Trikha, CEO of iHub – AWaDH, stated: “Punjab Samvad continues to be a powerful platform for dialogue and collaboration.
This edition highlighted the urgent need to address our environmental challenges and inspired young minds to be part of the solution.” The event featured prominent speakers including Dr. Vinod Kumar, Chairperson of the Department of Sociology at Panjab University; Dr. Dhiraj Kumar Mahajan, Founder of ARES Systems and Assistant Professor at IIT Ropar; Dr. Rajwinder Kaur, Assistant Professor at Government College, Danewala, Malout; and Amandeep Singh, a renowned water activist and Mr. Aatif Jamal, Senior Manager, iHub – AWaDH.
Key topics discussed included water management challenges, agricultural practices, air quality concerns, and innovative technological solutions being developed to address these issues. The interactive format allowed for meaningful dialogue between experts and attendees, fostering a collaborative approach to environmental sustainability.
The Punjab Samvad series, initiated by iHub AWaDH under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) framework, continues to serve as a vital platform for addressing critical regional issues through knowledge sharing and community engagement.