Tribute to Prof. I. N. Chawla
In my own humble way, tried to return with heavy heart as little myself could do in this modest tribute (sharadhanjali) to beloved and caring friend Chawla. One should not give an impression of egoism, a tendency to selfishness. On the contrary, one should have altruism personality, meaning enlightened, unselfishness, and ordinariness, a person concerned with the welfare of others having belief in humanism (insaniat). This trait was in Inder Nath Chawla. One stays in egoistic world as a temporary guest like a bubble in water pond, and comes alone with empty hands, completes journey as temporary passenger (musafir), and leaves alone empty-handed after sincerely performing duties in society and family facing adversities, miseries and happiness in wordy-world. Chawla was that type of personality. Essentially, it is necessary to mention that Kaliana and Chawla were room mates for two years in hostel at Government College, Ludhiana. Jai Parkash Singh and myself were day scholars. So, strong and long was association.
1st International Conference of APG
Within few years APG has only not widened its base from Punjab to India, but now it has culminated its glory of organizing geographical activities/events upto the global scale. A part and parcel of APG, Department of Geography, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra has taken an initiative to set up a milestone by organizing 1st International Conference of APG on October 4-5, 2013. Two aspects of this conference are very considerable i.e., its international level and its focal theme highlighting disasters phenomenon and sustainable development. Focal Theme Disasters, Natural Resource Management and SocioEconomic Development.
State Level Geographical Quiz
Fostering its rich tradition of conducting regularly the exemplary geographical activities, the P.G. Department of Geography, SCD Govt. College, Ludhiana again successfully organized State level Geographical Quiz Contest (2013), under the aegis of Association of Punjab Geographers on 23rd Feb. 2013. A written test was conducted to short list among 11 teams participating this gala event from all the corners of the state. As a result, five teams qualified to participate.
14th APG National/International Conference
Department of Geography of any university/ college willing to host 14th APG Conference may contact Sh. K. Surjit Singh, President, APG. Contact No- 09215014411, E-Mail- isperonline@gmail.com
Dr. Saminderjeet Singh Young Geographer Award
Young geographers who have not attained the age of 33 years are invited to send three copies of their original research paper along with bio- data to Dr. B.R. Thakur, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, H.P. University, Shimla, E-Mail- brthakur53@gmail.com Ph. - 09418065518 to compete for the above mentioned award. The last date for submission of paper is September 10, 2013. The name of the author and department should be mentioned in the covering letter and not on the paper to keep secrecy
Conference/Seminar
35th NAGI is being hosted by the Department of Geography, University of Madras, Chennai on December 12-14, 2013. For details connect Dr. R Jaganathan nagiconference2013@gmail.com
News from the Members
Dr. Sarina Kalia, Department of Geography, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur has joined as Associate Professor.
Anupreet Singh Tiwana, Department of Geography, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib presented his paper, "Ecological Farming in Turkey and India: Issues and the Way Forward" on 3rd International Geography Symposium held at Antalya, Turkey. He has also edited a book "Declining Sex Ratio - Explorations In Geography of Gender".
Geographical News
Nature warned us before a 'Himalayan Tsunami'
Nature is never cruel. It always gives and takes everything with its open hands. In August 2012, buildings were washed away by Uttarkashi flash floods. Later, a cloudburst in Rudraprayag had claimed 69 lives. It was a loud alarm but who did bother for it? It happened again on June 15 and 16, 2013 when the region received over 340 mm of rainfall, i.e., 375 per cent above normal. The resultant 'Himalayan Tsunami' flattened everything that came in its way. Whether it is natural or man framed calamity, a controversial question is on the wall. The administration insists that it was a natural calamity; ecologists hold that this was a man-made disaster waiting to happen.