IRMA Water Centre
IRMA Water Centre
An International e-Conference on Water Management in Dairy Sector was organized jointly by Verghese Kurien Centre of Excellence (VKCoE) and IRMA Water Centre (IWC) at Multipurpose Hall, Academic Block, IRMA on 12 October 2021. The e-conference was held on hybrid mode with more than 100 participants connected virtually and many in physical mode. The event was Co-sponsored by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (ISAE) and in partnership of Indian Dairy Association (IDA) and Australia India Water Centre (AIWC). Prof Abhijit Sen, President, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, and the former member of the Planning Commission was the chief guest of the event.
Prof Saswata Narayan Biswas, Director (In charge) of IRMA delivered the welcome address with a brief introduction about the premiere institution and the purpose of the Conference to the audience which followed by the lighting of the lamps and floral tribute to the late visionary Dr. Verghese Kurien along with the guests. The guests of honour of the e-conference were welcomed by Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra (VKCoE) and Mrs. Prakruti Pranami with a rose embedded in a khadi handkerchief. Dr. J.B. Prajapati, Chairperson, VKCoE spoke about VKCoE and Dr Uday Shankar Saha spoke about the purpose, objectives and rational in setting up of the IRMA Water Centre (IWC) and areas of priority for taking up the work of the IWC.
Prof. Tushaar Shah, Emeritus Professor, IRMA spoke about the theme of the e-conference. Dr. K.B. Kathiria, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Anand Agricultural University was the Guest of Honour. Shri Meenesh C Shah, Chairman, NDDB in his recorded message as the Guest of Honour said that water is the most critical component of dairying, and we must appreciate our achievements in optimizing water footprint in dairy processing. Dr. G.S. Rajorhia, President, Indian Dairy Association, New Delhi, Shri Basant Maheshwari, Western Sydney University, Australia, Shri Pranav Shah, Process Category Director, Fresh Dairy and Plant-based, SPXFLOW, Denmark and Shri S.K.Panigrahy, Regional Director, RBI, Ahmedabad joined as the Guests of Honour virtually.
Dr. Uday Shankar Saha, RBI Chair Professor, IRMA and IRMA Water Centre proposed the vote of thanks for the inaugural session.
There were two technical sessions. The Chairman of Technical Session-I was Prof. Tushaar Shah, Emeritus Professor, IRMA. The session was co-chaired by Dr. Atanu Jana, Professor and Head, Dept. of Dairy, SMC College of Dairy Science and Dr. Preeti Shukla, Assistant Manager (HR &CSR), Amul Dairy. The presenters who spoke about water management in dairy sector were Shri Subir Mitra, Group Head, SAS, NDDB, Shri Amit Vyas, MD, Amul Dairy, Anand, Shri Sangram Chaudhary, MD, Banas Dairy. The fourth presenter Dr. Dharma Hagare, Western Sydney University, Australia spoke about sustainable water and nutrient management within dairy farms. The fifth lead presenter Shri Viyayakumara, the former MD, Milma, Kozhikode. He highlighted about the water conservation experience from Malabar Milk Union, Kerala. The sixth lead presenter Dr. K. Letha Devi, Senior Scientist, NIANP, Bengaluru spoke about water use and productivity with reference to dairy farming. The seventh lead presenter Prof. Shankar Murthi, NITIE, Mumbai spoke about wastewater management in dairy industries with the purpose of reuse. The last lead presenter Dr. Ashutosh, Senior Scientist, NDRI, Karnal spoke about the conservation of water in livestock-based farming system.
The technical session-II was about young scientists’ oral presentation. The juries of the session were Dr. M.K. Jhala, Director of Research, Anand Agricultural University, Dr. K.C. Supekar, MD, NCDFI and Shri Manoranjan Pani, Senior General Manager, Sales and Marketing Head, GCMMF. Eight young scientists presented their research papers on the theme of e-conference ‘Water Management in Dairy Sector’ for 10 minutes each followed by 2 minutes of Q/A round. The presenters were evaluated based on their relevance to the theme, presentation skills, quality of power points made and Q/A session. Dr. A. B. Parmar, Dr. Ajayvir Singh Sirohi and Dr. Sanat Mishra were declared as the winner, Runner-Up I and Runner-Up II respectively.
IRMA Water Centre organized a conference on 22nd March 2021 on the occasion of World Water Day. The conference started with a welcome address by Prof H.K Misra. Prof Uday Shankar Saha, the IRMA Water In charge spoke on the theme ‘Water for future’. The chief guest for the conference was Dr. T Janakiram, Vice Chancellor of Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh. Dr. H J Shiva Prasad, Professor, Civil Engineering Department, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology gave a brief presentation on Ground Water Management in Agriculture. It was followed by a presentation on Participatory Watershed Management given by Dr. Jyothi Prasad, Professor, Civil Engineering Department, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Prof Tushaar Shah gave the valedictory address. Prof Hippu Salk Kristle Nathan delivered the vote of thanks.
The inauguration of the IRMA Water Centre was held on December 14, 2020. Six panel discussions were organized and eminent speakers from across the country spoke on various topics in these panels. The panels were namely:
The Centre was inaugurated by Dr. G R Chintala, Chairman, NABARD who was present as the Chief Guest. Other notable guests were Shri Dilip Rath, Chairman, IRMA; Shri Rajendra Singh, Chairman, Tarun Bharat Sangh; Dr. R.S. Sodhi, MD, GCMMF; Ms. C Demenge, India Head, SDC; Prof. Tushaar Shah, Professor Emeritus, IRMA; Prof. Basant Maheshwari, Western Sydney University; and Prof. Hitesh Bhatt, Former Director, IRMA. The Water Centre was established with the aim to work on various aspects dealing with water and how Water Management can be achieved on a sustainable basis.
Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) celebrated World Environment Day on 5th June 2020. On this occasion, a tree plantation initiative was organised at the IRMA campus.
"One Student One Tree" is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, in line with the idea of a green and healthy environment. As a responsibility towards the environment and contribution to this initiative, AICTE has recommended every institute to carry out a plantation drive. IRMA observed "One Student One Tree" on World Environment Day as part of its commitment to the initiative.
Shri Dilip Rath, Chairman, IRMA, formally inaugurated the initiative by planting the first sapling. He was joined by Dr. R.V. Vyas, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor (I/C), AAU; Dr. R.S. Sodhi, MD, GCMMF; Prof. Tushaar Shah, Professor Emeritus, IRMA; Dr. N.C. Patel, Former Vice Chancellor, AAU; Shri K.C. Supekar, MD, NCDFI, Dr. J.B. Prajapati, Principal and Dean, SMC College of Dairy Science, AAU; Dr. S. Roy, Director of ICAR Research Centre on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, and other dignitaries from NDDB, GCMMF, NCDFI, and IWMI. They were welcomed by Prof. Hitesh Bhatt, Director, IRMA; Dr. Uday Shankar Saha, RBI Chair Professor; other faculty members, and IRMA community.
The dignitaries planted the saplings while observing social distancing. They were joined by students, faculty, and members of IRMA community. The students and children of IRMA planted the saplings which were named after them to encourage a sense of responsibility towards nature and environment.
A series of competitions on the theme for World Environment Day 2020, 'Time for Nature' were also organised for IRMA students, faculty, and members of the IRMA community. The competitions were namely; essay writing, drawing and poetry. In all, over 53 people participated in the various competitions. Some of the drawings can be viewed below:
