SHILLONG : The 2nd edition of SusCon, an International conference on Sustainability: People, Planet & Prosperity conducted by IIM Shillong, commenced on 9th November, 2011 .The event began with a high note of impetus on the sustainability practices in the socio-economic level ,aligning with the enrichment of environmental wealth. A total of 36 research papers were presented in the conference whereby 150 participants including 25 delegates from across the globe were present in this three-day annual event. The SusCon 2011 inaugural function was graced by two eminent personalities ; Shri Sanjib Bezbaroa (VP, Corp EHS, ITC Ltd) as the Chief Guest and Shri Hasit Joshipura (VP, South Asia and Managing Director India, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) as the Guest of Honour. Mr. Sanjib emphasized on green GDP which can create a sustainable economy. Mr. Hasit elucidated on his concept of sustainability in the business of pharmaceutical based companies. The sessions that followed saw valuable contributions from a number of dignitaries on different perspectives of sustainability. Mr. M.N. Buch, Chairman Board of Governors, ABIITM, Gwalior and Dr. M.J. Xavier, Director IIM Ranchi were a few of the luminaries who contributed their views on this critical theme.
The second day of the conference saw myriad facets of the subject. It started with a presentation by Ms. Sujata Sen, Director of East India, British Council, on the cultural relationship between India and Britain. This was followed by a presentation on “Sustainability in NGOs: The needs & challenges” by Mr. Ranjan Mitter, IIM Calcutta. Then, Mr. Sanjib Bezbaroa concluded the session with a note that sustainability is contextual, not a fight between good and bad. Mr. Gabor Kovacs, a delegate from Hungary, presented the spiritual aspect of sustainability by comparing the Buddhist and Western interpretations of sustainable economics. The idea was carried forward by Mr. Saumyendranath Brahmahachary, from Deoghar, who presented the Indian perspective of the same. There were other interesting and stimulating discussions in the course of the day – capillary action DOME (Development Oriented Management & Economics) between government and corporate by Dr. Subhash Sharma and sustainability with healthcare and water management by Dr. Kunal Sarkar – to name a few. After such thought-provoking discussions, the day ended with a cultural extravaganza showcasing the unparalleled culture of the North-East. The audience was enthralled with dances, songs, instrumental performances and portrayals of folk tales from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
The valedictory function for the event was presided over by Mr. Jatindra Vacharajani GM, Essar Group. Mr. Deepak Arora, VP, Essar Group was the special guest for the function. The best paper award was won by the team from IIM Indore and cash prize of Rs 25,000 was awarded. All the participants were presented with certificates and mementoes.
The second year of SusCon came to an end on 11th November. But the deliberations and learning that it churned out were priceless. The event was a huge success and was instrumental in promoting awareness towards the critical concept of Sustainability.
Literally all such programmes are just wastage of time, funds & energy for the sake of publicity only, unless & untill serious efforts are done for the establishment of *Global Government* & total disarmament, which is the dire demand of the day, if total inhibition on the Planet Earth, is to be sustained & saved from the lurking danger of extinction.
And under the system of *Global Government*, there shall be a special charter to tackle the latest Ism- Terrorism in the righteous manner, because the war against it; even after spending tons of wealth, apart wasteing ennormous valuable resources & losing innumerable precious lives; can not be a success at all—dr.amritgaur