Dr.S.Ravichandran, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Lovely Professional University, presented a speech on “Environmental pollution control through Green Chemistry” in an International Conference on Health and Air Pollution: Effects and Management-2018. The conference was organized by International Development Centre Foundation at India International Centre, Auditorium, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi. The two days conference which was held from September 7-8, 2018 was organized in collaboration with knowledge partners particularly ICMR, CSIR-NEERI, CSIR-NPL, DGHS, Govt. of NCT-Delhi, IAAPC, GRC India.
The Conference was attended by more than 200 delegates including policy makers, regulators, administrators, technical experts and medical professionals from Government & Non-Governmental organizations like, IITs, DTU, IPU, Tata Memorial Institute, AIIMS, RML, Safdarjung Hospital and community individuals in their personal capacities. The Conference was inaugurated by Shri Ashwani Choubey Ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare. Other dignitaries present during inauguration included Mr Michael A. N. N. Oquaye Esq., High Commissioner, Ghana (South Africa); AVM Dr Ajit Tyagi-Chairman, IDC Foundation (IDC Foundation), Shri Paritosh Tyagi, Former Chairman, CPCB and IDCFoundation, Dr S K Tyagi, Former Addl. Director, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi; Directors of CSIR-NEERI Dr Rakesh Kumar & CSIR-NPL Dr. D K Aswal; Prof. Mukesh Sharma, IIT Kanpur, Dr Ravinder Singh, Senior Scientist, ICMR Headquarters; Dr. Kamal Kishore, Professor, Deptt of Pharmacology, AIIMS-New Delhi; Dr A K Maitra, Former Director, SPA, Delhi and Delegates from U K, Nepal, Ghana & India.
The experts and researchers deliberated over two days on the various problems caused due to air pollution and the ways for its prevention, mitigation and management. It was agreed that an overall integrated strategy needs to be developed for the country. Keeping in mind the doubling mortality rate of the population in the last two decades due to air pollution, emphasis was laid on finding solutions for the present scenario. Also, the delegates critically took onto consideration that half of the cases of mortality was due to heart diseases particularly heart attacks.
Green chemistry represents the pillars that hold up our sustainable future. With an impetus from Pollution control act, Green Chemistry, a relatively newer branch was originated. It refers to implementing the vast potentials of chemistry for reducing or stopping the damage done to the environment around us.
Dr.Ravichandran presented a brief description on implementation of various green chemistry principles and their applications to basic and applied research.He also expressed his gratitude to the Lovely Professional University, the HOS (SME) Dr. Gurpreet Singh and the HOD Prof. Ashish Kumar for their encouragement and constant support.
