PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, January 29: Jharkhand Governor and Chancellor of State Universities Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Thursday underscored the deep and sensitive relationship between the environment and human health while addressing the inaugural session of the three-day International Conference of the Environmental Mutagen Society of India (EMSI).
The conference, themed “Environmental Mutagenesis and Epigenomics in Relation to Human Health”, is being organised under the aegis of Jamshedpur Co-operative College at XLRI, Jamshedpur.
Rising Health Challenges Linked to Environment
Addressing delegates, the Governor noted that rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, pollution and changing lifestyles have created complex challenges for human health. Pollution affecting air, water, soil and food is increasingly impacting the human body, leading to genetic and health-related complications, he said.
Expressing hope that the conference would go beyond identifying problems, Shri Gangwar stressed the need for serious deliberations on practical and effective solutions. He said academic conferences must generate outcomes that are socially relevant and capable of real-world application.
He urged scientists and researchers to align their research and knowledge with the broader interests of society.
Role of Universities in Social Transformation
As Chancellor of Jharkhand’s universities, the Governor reiterated his commitment to improving the quality of higher education and strengthening research across the state. He expressed his aspiration for Jharkhand’s universities to emerge among the country’s leading institutions and to attract students from across India.
“Universities should not remain limited to awarding degrees alone. They must evolve into centres for addressing and solving societal problems,” he said.
Environment and Development Go Hand in Hand
Referring to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Governor said initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, Namami Gange and various environmental conservation programmes clearly demonstrate that development and environmental protection are complementary, not contradictory.
He also highlighted that Jharkhand is rich in natural resources, biodiversity and youthful talent, with a deep-rooted relationship between nature and human life spanning centuries.
Message to Young Researchers
Calling upon young researchers and students to pursue their work with curiosity, discipline and social responsibility, the Governor expressed confidence that the three-day conference would be intellectually enriching, scientifically meaningful and socially impactful.