SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 5: Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, organized a keynote lecture on Monday focused on “Environmental Issues in Food Processing.” The event featured Ashok Agarwal, Director of KLA Food India Ltd., as the chief speaker.
Agarwal highlighted the growing environmental concerns linked to food processing industries and stressed the need for sustainable and resource-efficient practices.
The lecture was conducted under the aegis of the Centre for Mining Environment at the Department of Environmental Science & Engineering (ESE), IIT ISM.
Organizers noted that the lecture formed a part of the institute’s ongoing Centenary Celebration series, aligned with the national initiative ‘Mission LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment). IIT ISM will mark its 100th anniversary in 2026.
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Focus on Sustainable Agro-Industrial Systems
In his address, Agarwal emphasized the vital role of agro-industrial systems in promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing climate resilience.
He proposed practical and scalable strategies to transform food production and processing, aiming to reduce environmental impact while supporting economic development.
The session brought attention to the challenges and opportunities facing the food industry and encouraged participants to adopt greener approaches in industrial practices.
Dialogue on Sustainable Development and Mission LiFE
Organizers shared that the session sparked insightful dialogue centered around Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), the need for environmentally responsible industrial practices, and the rising importance of collaborations between industry and academia in advancing the goals of Mission LiFE.
The lecture served as a platform for encouraging sustainable innovation within the food processing sector.
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The event was conducted successfully under the leadership of Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT ISM, and Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director. It was organized under the guidance of Prof. Alok Sinha, Head of the Department of ESE and Coordinator of EIACP (PC-RP), with support from Prof. Biswajit Paul and Prof. Suresh Pandian E., Co-Coordinator of EIACP (PC-RP).
The organizing team ensured the event fostered an engaging and informative discussion, encouraging active participation from faculty and students.
