“The rising temperature of the Earth is seeking to say something about the arrogance of man that has become the biggest challenge of the future of the Earth. The Earth is changing and has stopped enduring all,” said Benoy Viswom, the Minister for Forests on the challenges of climate change and the depletion of biodiversity.
Inaugurating a three-day conference of the first Kerala Women's Science Congress 2010, organised by Shakti and St. Teresa's College with a focal theme on Women and Biodiversity, Mr. Viswom said that money and profiteering has given a new meaning for development that is tearing apart the biodiversity.
Development should not be held back, but it should be for the masses with an eye on the future, he added. All the foundations that man has created on this Earth are now crumbling, he said, adding that the future of man on this Earth is rather unsafe.
The concept of development needs to be changed and he hoped that it would become a debating point at the Women's Science Congress'
K. Mohandas, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala University of Health and Allied Sciences and Jancy James, Vice-Chancellor, Central University, Kerala, were the guests of honour on the occasion. Dr Mohandas released the Book of Abstracts of the Science Congress while Dr. James released the logo for the Congress.
Sister Christabelle, Principal, St. Teresa's College and Chairperson, KWSC-2010, presided over the function. In her address, she hoped that women scientists would be encouraged to take up scientific research and be acknowledged too. C. P. Tara, secretary general, KWSC 2010, spoke about the Congress.
Bindu Suraj, national Co-ordinator of Shakti, gave a profile of Shakti's activities. Earlier, Rajalakshmi Subramanian, convener, KWSC-2010, welcomed the gathering while Elsam Joseph, head of the Botany Department, St. Teresa's College and secretary of KWSC, proposed a vote of thanks.
