A brainstorming and interactive session on ‘Design for Sustainable Development’ was organised at Manav Rachna University on 27th April 2017 by Prof. Jaideep Singh, Director Industry Interaction and HoD, Humanities & Language, MRU. The session had participants as students and Faculty members of CST Department and ME Department. The keynote speaker for the session was Shri Rajiv Yadav, IAS, Secretary Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.

Shri Rajiv Yadav presently Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, had his Bachelors in Civil Engineering from IIT, Roorkee and then Masters from IIT, Delhi.  He did his MBA from University of Hull (U.K.).

He has held important positions in Government of India which include Director in the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Executive Director of the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) from 2004-2009, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry during which period he guided and supervised major trade exhibitions and trade promotion activities in 45 countries with focus on US/Europe and BRICS countries. He was Member in National Highways Authority of India implementing India’s ambitious Highway Infrastructure Programme from 2010-2013.  During 2014-15 he worked in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers as Special Secretary and Financial Advisor. During 2015-16 he worked as Secretary (Sports), in the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. He has served as a Secretary, Planning & Development Department and later Additional Chief Secretary, Planning & Development Department, Government of Assam. He has been a regular guest faculty with LBS National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie under Government of India since 2000.  He occasionally contributes articles on scientific and cultural issues.

The main objective of this session was to bring consciousness and awareness on Design for Sustainable Development. He spoke about the skills that are much needed in today’s world, like for instance: being a very keen observer, to be inquisitive, and indulge in out-of-the-box thinking. He spoke about the significance of saving energy and staying healthy. He also stressed that one should not be a mere copy cat and should think differently and innovatively. ‘Be the change, you want to be’.

Post his session, he took questions of the students. The session was highly interactive, enlightening and motivating for the students as well as for faculty members. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks and felicitation of the Chief Guest by Prof Jaideep Singh.