Observance of World Environment Day, 2023 at IPHE HQ, Kolkata
The Institution of Public Health Engineers, India (IPHE), in collaboration with its Kolkata Centre, commemorated World Environment Day (WED) 2023 through a hybrid event. The event witnessed a substantial turnout of corporate members, who joined both physically and virtually from various parts of the country on June 3rd, 2023. The gathering took place at the IPHE - R C Bysack Hall, located on the ground floor of the IPHE Headquarters building. The primary objective of the event was to raise awareness among the public regarding the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on the environment and encourage collective action to combat this issue, aligning with the global initiative to #BeatPlasticPollution.
The esteemed presence of Smt. Krishna Chakraborty, the Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, as the Chief Guest, added prestige to the occasion. Sri Bosista Kumar Sengupta, former Secretary General of the Institution and former DGO of Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, delivered the welcome address. Sri Tarun Kumar Dutta, the Secretary, provided a comprehensive overview of WED 2023, highlighting its objectives.
Further, Prof. (Dr.) Arunabha Majumder, Vice President of IPHE and former Director-Professor at All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, delivered an engaging presentation on the theme of WED 2023, employing a captivating power point. Dr. Dinesh Chand, the President, presided over the event virtually and delivered his presidential address to the attendees. Finally, Sri Kripan Ayudh Roy, the Secretary, delivered a formal vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants for their active involvement.
Closing Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Programme and Cultural Evening
After over a year of celebrations, the Institution's Golden Jubilee came to a festive conclusion with a vibrant closing ceremony on June 3, 2023. The ceremony was held at the IPHE – R C Bysack Hall on the ground floor of the IPHE Headquarters building, immediately following the observance of World Environment Day. Sri Samir Kumar Mukherjee, the Secretary General, delivered a warm welcome address. Three esteemed corporate members, with long-standing connections to the Institution, shared their reflections on the Institution's fifty-year journey.
During the event, Sri Sisir Kumar Neogi, the founder Corporate Member & Emeritus Secretary General, fondly reminisced about the 'A journey of IPHE' from 1972 to 1986. Unfortunately, due to sudden illness, his written speech was read by Sri Pravir Bose, the Treasurer. Sri Bosista Kumar Sengupta, a former Secretary General, nostalgically recounted the 'Golden Era of IPHE History' spanning from 1986 to 2002. Lastly, Sri Tarun Kumar Dutta, the Secretary, discussed the '20 years of IPHE in the new millennium' covering the period from 2002 to 2022.
Prof. (Dr.) Arunabha Majumder, the Vice President, delivered a technical presentation on the important topic of the 'Role of Public Health Engineers in Sustainable Development and Environment Protection.' Following that, Prof. K. J. Nath, the immediate past President, gave a speech highlighting IPHE's significant role in the National Scenario over its 50-year journey.
During the event, several esteemed members were honored physically and virtually for their long-standing association with the Institution and their contributions to the sector. The program concluded with a vibrant cultural evening featuring participation from corporate members, members of 'PrathamShom' (the cultural wing of IPHE), and many eminent artists from Kolkata.
Open Letter from the Secretary General
Respected Corporate Member, Institution of Public Health Engineers, India (IPHE)
Greetings on the occasion of World Environment Day. You are aware that the newly elected IPHE Council (please visit IPHE website: www.ipheindia.com for detailed information) has become functional w. e. f. 12th April, 2023. The Council in its maiden meeting on the day has vested the responsibility of the Secretary General upon me.
In this context, I would like to reach each and every Corporate and Organisational members of the Institution to keep them updated about IPHE and also to hear from everyone to resolve membership related issues and also to record their views, suggestions, advice about IPHE.
IPHE Secretariat shall communicate and try to keep everyone updated through the website, WhatsApp group messaging besides personal communications through text messages, emails and by post. To maintain such regular communications, it is necessary to keep IPHE Headquarters informed with the updated contact details from time to time, which may be communicated through the link placed in the website, email (iphe.india@gmail.com), text messages (to groups or Office Bearers) and letters by post (CK - 58, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700091). All such communications may kindly be addressed to the Secretary General, IPHE only.
I would like to take this opportunity also to request everyone to come forward and contribute to your own Institution through, a) writing technical article for the quarterly journal (JIPHE - guidelines available in the website); b) initiating membership drive by introducing new individual and organisational members (forms are available in the website and on request through WhatsApp/ email/by post); c) participating in the events and activities of the Regional Centres and IPHE HQ; d) collecting sponsorships for the events and advertisements for IPHE publications, website etc. (rate charts and EOI are available in the website); e) helping for updating contact details of known fellow corporate members in own organisation, region and contacts; and f) donating to the IPHE funds (bank account details are available in the website). Looking forward to hear from you for the causes of the Institution so as to fulfil the mission and vision of IPHE jointly.
Thanks and best regards,
S K Mukherjee
Secretary General, IPHE India
June 05, 023
Events - July
JULY 11
WORLD POPULATION DAY
World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, the approximate date on which the world's population reached five billion people. World Population Day aims to increase people's awareness on various population issues such as the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights.
The day was suggested by Dr.K.C.Zachariah in which population reaches Five Billion when he worked as Sr Demographer at World Bank.By resolution 45/216 of December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to continue observing World Population Day to enhance awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development.
The Day was first marked on 11 July 1990 in more than 90 countries. Since then, a number of UNFPA country offices and other organizations and institutions commemorate World Population Day, in partnership with governments and civil society.
JULY 28
WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION DAY
Celebrated on July 28 each year, the World Nature Conservation Day acknowledges that a healthy environment is the foundation for a stable and healthy society. To ensure the well-being of the present and future generations, we all must as responsible human beings participate in protecting and conserving our nature. Conservation goals include conserving habitat, preventing deforestation, halting species extinction, reducing overfishing and mitigating climate change. Different philosophical outlooks guide conservationists towards these different goals.
