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Itanagar College Hosts National Seminar on Rural Development in Northeast India

By CM Paul |

Itanagar, 9th February 2025: The Department of Economics at Don Bosco College Itanagar recently organized a two-day national seminar on "Challenges and Opportunities for Socio-Economic Development in Rural Areas of Northeast India." The seminar, held on February 7-8, was supported by ICSSR-NERC and Federal Bank.

The seminar aimed to discuss the challenges and opportunities for rural development in Northeast India. It brought together experts, researchers, and policymakers to share their insights and experiences.

In his welcome address, Dr. Fr. Jose George, Principal of Don Bosco College, thanked the dignitaries for their presence. He highlighted the importance of the seminar, stating that it would provide a platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities for rural development in Northeast India.

The seminar featured several keynote speakers, including Shri Toko Tatung, MLA of the 16th Yachuli Constituency, and Prof. Joydeep Baruah, Director of the Surya Kumar Bhuyan School of Social Sciences. The speakers emphasized the need for rural development, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the region.

The seminar also included technical sessions, where researchers presented papers on various topics related to rural development. The papers covered issues such as sustainable development, waste management, and entrepreneurship.

One of the key takeaways from the seminar was the importance of sustainable development in rural areas. Prof. Sumpam Tanjang, Head of the Department of Botany at Rajiv Gandhi University, highlighted the role of agroforestry in enhancing rural development. He emphasized the need for government support, subsidies, and training programs to promote agroforestry practices.

Another important aspect discussed during the seminar was waste management. Dr. Ajit Debnath, HoD of the Department of Economics at Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Vishwavidyalaya, spoke on the impact of waste management on rural development. He highlighted the need for effective waste management practices, such as vermicomposting and waste-to-energy projects.

The seminar concluded with a valedictory function, where Fr. CD Mathai, Rector of the college, handed over certificates to the paper presenters and participants. Dr. Dipongpou, Assistant Professor at Himalayan University, was awarded the Best Paper Presenter for his paper on "India's Act East Policy and the Significance of Transportation for the Development of Northeast Region."

Overall, the seminar provided a platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities for rural development in Northeast India. It highlighted the need for sustainable development, effective waste management practices, and entrepreneurship to promote rural development in the region.

Author info

CM Paul's picture

Former HoD, Dept of Mass Communications at Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, C.M. Paul was editor of The Herald weekly in Kolkata and director of Don Bosco International News Agency (ANS) based in Rome. He did MA in Journalism & Mass Communication from FORDHAM University, New York.
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