The Pre-Conference of the International Conference on Climate Change 2025 (ICCC-2025), organized by the Department of Geography, PGSR, SNDT Women's University, Pune Campus, commenced on 4th September 2024. The theme for this prestigious event was “Climate Action, Collaboration, and Sustainable Development.”
Ceremony Highlights
The event began with a tribute to Maharshi Karve by offering garlands at the PGSR Ground Floor. The dignitaries present during this solemn moment were Shri Avinash Dharmadhikari, Ex IAS, Dr. Ruby Oza, Pro-VC, Prof. Vilas Nandavadekar, Registrar of SNDT Women’s University, Prof. Virendra Nagarale, Local Organizing Secretary, Dr. Sanjay Shitole, Organizing Secretary, Dr. Mahesh Koltambe, Senate Member, and Prof. Ratnaprabha Jadhav. Various HODs, Principals, and faculty members also marked their presence.
Lamp Lighting Ceremony:
Following the tribute, all the dignitaries proceeded to the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony,
symbolizing the beginning of the academic proceedings. The ceremony was a gesture to invoke divine blessings for the success of the conference.
State and University Song:
The students from the Department of Music delivered a melodic rendition of the Maharashtra State Song and the University Song, creating an inspiring atmosphere for the event.
Welcome Address:
Prof. Virendra Nagarale, the Local Organizing Secretary, extended a warm welcome to all dignitaries and participants. He also conveyed the message of regret from the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, for her absence due to unavoidable academic work.
Message from Hon. Cabinet Minister:
Prof. Ratnaprabha Jadhav read the message from Hon. Chandrakant Dada Patil, Cabinet Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Maharashtra State. The message acknowledged the efforts of the university and extended his congratulations to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo for taking the lead in addressing the critical issue of climate change. The Hon. Minister also expressed his best wishes for the success of the pre-conference.
Overview of the Conference:
Dr. Sanjay Shitole, Organizing Secretary of ICCC-2025, provided a comprehensive overview of the upcoming International Conference. He highlighted the present global climate scenario and discussed the initiatives undertaken by SNDT Women’s University, especially in the domain of climate change.
He showcased a video clip that demonstrated the ongoing projects at Ballarpur in Chandrapur, where a new campus dedicated to environmental sustainability has been established. This informative session set the stage for the upcoming discussions on the collaborative efforts
required for addressing climate change.
Felicitation of Guests:
Following the conference overview, the distinguished guests were honoured with traditional felicitations, including the offering of a shawl, and coconut. This gesture symbolized respect and gratitude toward the dignitaries for their presence and contribution to the event.
- Hon. Prof. (Dr.) Ruby Oza, Pro-VC, SNDT Women’s University was felicitated by Prof. Virendra Nagarale, Local Organizing Secretary.
- Shri Avinash Dharmadhikari, Ex-IAS, the Chief Guest of the event, was felicitated by Hon. Prof.(Dr.) Ruby Oza, Pro-VC.
- Prof. (Dr.) Vilas Nandavadekar, Registrar, SNDT Women’s University, was honored by Prof.Virendra Nagarale.
- Dr. Sanjay Shitole, Organizing Secretary, ICCC-2025, received his felicitation from Prof.Ratnaprabha Jadhav, Head of the Department of Geography.
- Dr. Mahesh Koltambe, Senate Member, SNDT Women’s University, was felicitated by Prof.Ratnaprabha Jadhav.
The warm and traditional ceremony of honoring the guests underscored the university’s rich cultural heritage and its commitment to recognizing the contributions of its esteemed guests.
Introduction of the Chief Guest:
Dr. Mrinalini Ghatge introduced the Chief Guest, Shri Avinash Dharmadhikari, Ex-IAS and Founder Director of Chanakya Mandal Pariwar, Pune. In her introduction, Dr. Ghatge highlighted Shri Dharmadhikari’s significant contributions to the nation, particularly his dedication to Bharat Mata, and his unwavering commitment to nation-building. His exemplary service as a civil servant and his work in guiding youth toward excellence were emphasized as major influences on society.
Shri Dharmadhikari’s introduction set the tone for his insightful address that followed, focusing on the theme of climate action and collaboration.
Address by Chief Guest:
Shri Avinash Dharmadhikari, Ex-IAS and Founder Director of Chanakya Mandal Pariwar, Pune, delivered an impactful address, emphasizing the critical nature of climate change. He opened by acknowledging the significance of the Bharat Ratna conferred on Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, symbolizing India's respect for visionary leaders.
Shri Dharmadhikari underscored climate change as the most pressing issue of our time, not just globally but personally, stating that human civilization is under unprecedented threat. He remarked that, in the last 13,000 years, there has been no greater danger to humanity. He reviewed global efforts to address climate change, starting with the Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, and the Copenhagen Conference, which aimed for fair, ambitious, and legally binding measures but ultimately fell short. He noted that China and the United States are the largest polluters, contributing 40% of the world’s pollution.
Shri Dharmadhikari praised India’s pivotal role in the Paris Agreement, highlighting its global leadership through the tagline "One world, one grid." He proudly stated that India, once known as a "begging bowl," committed $10 billion toward the cause and achieved its goal of generating 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2022, ahead of its 2023 target. By 2030, India aims to produce 50% of its electricity from renewable energy.
He critiqued the current economic model focused on maximizing profit and market expansion at the expense of natural resources, asserting that this relentless exploitation is suicidal. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he reminded the audience, "Nature has enough for man’s need but not for man’s greed." Shri Dharmadhikari concluded by advocating for India to take a leadership role in saving humanity by promoting a philosophy of "Oneness with Nature." He stressed the importance of lifestyle changes, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing ecological sensitivity to preserve civilization.
Presidential Speech:
The Presidential Speech was delivered by Hon. Prof. (Dr.) Ruby Ojha, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SNDT Women’s University. In her address, she expressed her excitement about the upcoming International Conference on Climate Change, scheduled for January 2025, and remarked on the significance of the Pre-Conference. She extended her gratitude to the Chief Guest, Shri Avinash Dharmadhikari, for his presence and valuable insights, which she noted would greatly inspire students to prepare impactful research papers related to the conference theme.
Prof. Ojha emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing climate change, urging everyone to actively participate in finding solutions. Drawing on cultural references, she reminded the audience of India's deep-rooted respect for nature, referencing how the river Ganga is revered as Gangaji, illustrating the spiritual connection between people and the environment.
Vote of Thanks:
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Dr. Vilas Nandavadekar, Registrar of SNDT Women’s University and Convener of ICCC-2025. Dr. Nandavadekar expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the dignitaries on the dais, including the Chief Guest Shri Avinash Dharmadhikari, Pro-VC Prof. (Dr.) Ruby Ojha, and other esteemed speakers. He extended his thanks to the Heads of Departments, Principals, Directors, and students for their participation in the Pre-Conference.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Nandavadekar announced that Shri Avinash Dharmadhikari’s insightful lecture would be broadcast on the University’s iPod Radio, allowing a broader audience to benefit from the knowledge shared during the event.
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