Two day Ammembal Subbarao Pai Memorial UGC Sponsored National Conference on
“The Green Umbrella – Green Business Opportunities”
– A Report
Prof. Dejamma A. & Ms. Seema Prabhu S.
Conveners
A Two day Ammembal Subbarao Pai Memorial UGC Sponsored National Conference “The Green Umbrella – Green Business Opportunities ” organized by Centre for Advanced Studies in Commerce and Management, Canara First Grade College, Mangalore in collaboration with Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) was held on 23rd & 24th January 2014 at Smt. Ratna S.Shenoy Memorial Seminar Hall.
Inaugural Session:-
The inauguration of the Conference was held on 23rd January 2014, laid a strong edifice to the conference with Dr.V.V.Bhat, IAS, Former Secretary to Government of India and Member (Finance), Atomic Energy, Space and Earth Commissions as the inaugurator and Keynote speaker. Dr. V.V.Bhat in his Key note speech highlighted a broad view of opportunities in sustainable development, waste management and Green business areas. CA S.S. Kamath the president of the inaugural function also shed some lights on the challenges in this direction in his presidential remarks.
Prof. M.Satish Bhat, Principal of the college welcomed the guests and gathering. Prof.Dejamma A., convener of the conference presented an introduction about the theme of the conference. Smt. Seema Prabhu S., Convener of the conference proposed the vote of thanks. Shri M.Sudhir Pai, Correspondent of the College, Shri Jeevan Saldana, Secretary, KCCI, were the other dignitaries present on the dais. The inaugural session was compeered by Smt. Bhuvana Ramachandra , Head of department of English.
First Technical Session:
The first technical session was on Green Development Mechanism and Carbon Trading. Prof.B.V.Raghunandan, Associate Professor and HOD of Commerce, S.V.S College, Bantwal the resource person emphasised the internal initiative in creating a framework on climate change. He mentioned about United Nation’s convention for frame on climate control. It divided the countries into developed countries with obligation and developing countries without obligation. This led to carbon trading where industries in developed nation paid for the environment preserving industries in developing countries. The session was chaired by Dr.Devdasa Pai,Professor in Physics, Registrar, Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Accademy, Mangalore.
Second Technical Session:
The second technical session was on Waste Management -Business opportunities. Shri Paresh Parekh, Director, Sort India Enviro Solutions Ltd, Vadodara,Gujarath spoke on wealth creation by waste management. Mr. Paresh said that with over 65 million tonnes of garbage being generated in the country annually, there is a billion dollar industry waiting to happen in the waste management business. Mr. Paresh Parekh, who runs the waste management company in six cities of Gujarath said, the industry had a potential to create one million jobs in the country. One of the ways for this was to develop new modes and not to blindly ape western models. Though there is concern over e waste, Mr. Parekh believed that recycling of e waste is not economically viable in the country. The interaction with the audience explored various dimension of the waste management and the opportunities of employment potential in the near future. Shri Nigam B. Vasani, Vice-President, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mangalore was the chairperson for this session.
Third Technical Session:
The third technical session was on Green business opportunities in farming. Dr. K. Muralidharan , Head, Division of Social Sciences, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR), Kasaragod was the resource person. He gave overview of business opportunities in farming in general and Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) in particular explained the various schemes to improve the productivity and profitability of the crop both under central and state government as well as by CPCRI. He said CPCRI manufactured value added products from coconut such as coconut milk, virgin coconut oil, and coconut chips had a scope for good marketing.
This technical session was chaired by Shri G.Giridhar Prabhu, Director, Achal Cashews Private Limited,Mangalore
Fourth Technical Session:
The last technical session was on Green competitiveness for sustainability. Dr.Satheesh E.K., Head of Department of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Calicut said the companies are increasingly using green competitiveness as a strategy to sustain in the highly competitive environment. The sustainable development is achieved by providing environment friendly products, eliminating all hazardous components from the products. Now the measurement of the company performance based on economic indicators is given way to Corporate Social Responsibility giving emphasis on environment friendly, human friendly products and services. His presentation touched upon areas on green competitiveness, sustainable development by extensively quoting from real world examples. Dr.P.N. Udayachandra, Registrar, SDM College (Autonomous), Ujire chaired this session.
We had overwhelming response by the scholars and delegates. 284 delegates registered for this conference. 18 speakers enlightened the participants with their thought provoking presentations. 74 research papers were presented in 6 sessions in these two days.
We also provided an opportunity for the students to present their Green Business ideas. 28 teams from various Colleges including 5 engineering colleges from Mangalore, Bangalore, Mysore and Mandya participated in this Contest and presented their Business Plans.
Valedictory:-
The valedictory function was held on 24th January, 2014 at 3.30 pm. CA. M.Vaman Kamath, Alternate Treasurer, CHS Association, presided over the function. Dr. Harish Hande, Managing Director, Selco India and Magsaysay awardee gave the Valedictory address. He said there is a requirement of educational policies, which introduce energy sustainability in school and college curriculum. Dr.Hande felt for a need for a holistic approach by the technology experts in the designing of products for the economically weaker section of society. To achieve energy sustainability, social sustainability is more important than financial sustainability he added. In fact, it is the poor who spend a major part of their income for energy requirements as they have meager access to the sources of energy. He called upon youngsters to go beyond the classroom limits, explore the nature and come up with innovative ideas in creation of technology to achieve energy sustainability.
Shri I.N.Noronha, Head of Department of Commerce welcomed the guest and gathering. Smt. Seema Prabhu S, Convener, presented a brief note of findings of the conference. Prof. Dejamma A., Convener, proposed the vote of thanks. Shri M.Ranganath Bhat, Secretary, CHS Association, Shri P.C.Nayak, IAS, Prof.M.Satish Bhat, Principal of the College, were the other dignitaries present on the dais. The valedictory session was anchored by Smt. Sushma R.Shetty, faculty of Commerce, compeered the programme.
Acknowledgement:
We are thankful to UGC for extending sponsorship to this two day National Conference. We are also thankful to the Management of Canara First Grade College, the Principal, the Donors, the media, the KCCI, faculty members and students of the College, delegates from various colleges and universities, the Guests, Resource persons, Moderators, Judges, Paper presenters and the well-wishers for their contribution for the success of the conference.
Inaugural Session:-
First Technical Session:
Second Technical Session:
Third Technical Session:
Fourth Technical Session:
Valedictory:-
