Gadchiroli Jan. 14 (District Correspondent) ‘Geography Day’ was celebrated at Mahila Mahavidyalaya here run by Shri Saibaba Rural Development Institute Gadchiroli by the Department of Geography of the college.
The program was presided over by the Principal and Head of the Geography Department Dr. Yogesh Patil. Ms., Chairperson of the Geography Studies Board Kanchan Bawanwade, Gondwana University Management Member Dr. Nandaji Satpute, senior lecturer Dr. Kundan Dufare, were prominently present.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Patil said it is the wrong concept that the Geography Day is celebrated every year on 14th January because the day gets longer in the northern hemisphere and shorter in the southern hemisphere. In fact, Dr. Suresh Gharsode, a well-known journalist from Mumbai started celebrating Geography Day in memory of Indian Geography thinker Dr. Chandrashekhar D. Deshpande, on his 75th birthday on 14th January 1988 so that the geography could be remembered in schools, universities and social sectors.
The subject of Geography is capable of stopping environmental degradation. It is the study of the Earth, which includes the geographical features of the Earth, environment, climate, rivers, mountains, as well as the relationship between humans and nature. Geography is used for weather forecasting, natural disaster management, sustainable development, resource management and solving global problems, he pointed out.
The students and the society is informed about various branches of geography such as physical geography, human geography, economic geography etc. By creating awareness regarding environmental protection, the importance of cartography, location and diversity of the Earth is emphasized. Geography is of great historical importance in the context of India; because the natural geographical structure of India is full of diversity and richness, Dr. Patil further said.
In his introductory speech, Prof. Vivek Yemjelwar explained the background behind Uttarayan and Dakshinayan. Ms. Kanchan Bawanwade said that geography is a broad subject and, in the future, geography will have to be combined with geology while studying applied science. Dr. Nandaji Satpute suggested measures to make geography a comprehensive subject in Gondwana University. Dr. Kundan Dufare explained the interrelationship between environment and geography.
Among the students, Ms. Shivani Burande, Sangeeta Kallo, Pooja Kumre expressed their views. Ms. Najmusba Syed moderated the program and Ms. Shivani Burande proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Pramod Bodhane, Prof. Maroti Waghdhare, Dr. Amit Gajbhiye, Prof. Darshana Khewle, Prof. Megha Bhaskarwar, teachers, non-teaching staff and students of the Geography Department cooperated to make the Geography Day a success.
