The third Advisory Board Meeting (ABM 22) of Manav Rachna Centre for Peace and
Sustainability (MRCPS) was conducted recently at the India International Center, New
Delhi. The ABM 22 was presided over by its Chairman Padma Vibhushan Dr. Karan
Singh along with Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, MREI; Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, MD, MREI
and VC, MRIIRS; Dr. IK Bhat, VC, MRU; Prof. (Dr.) D. S. Sengar, PVC, MRU; Dr.
Markandey Rai, Senior Advisor, UN Habitat; Shri Muzaffar Ahmad, Former Director
General Health, Govt. of J & K and other distinguished members.
MRCPS takes pride in spreading awareness and knowledge of Peace and Sustainability
by developing youth to build Peaceful New Bharat through several unique and path
breaking program.
A soulful homage was paid to Late Justice RC Lahoti, the Vice Chairman of the Advisory
Board of MRCPS by observing a two minute silence in the honour of the departed soul.
Dr. Karan Singh, while delivering the Chairman’s address, emphasized on the need of
strengthening inter-faith movement and initiatives of the temple of understanding in
order to attain peace for the society. He asserted, “In these times of growing social
division in our communities that may lead to self-destruction, the society needs to
build and sustain peace in a conscious manner by resorting to healthy fusion of
sciences and humanities”.
Dr. Amit Bhalla highlighted the practices followed at Manav Rachna, in developing the
right attitude in youth towards peace and sustainability. He emphasized, “Through
appropriate amalgamation of education and sustainability in the learning processes,
youth can be transformed into a catalyst in promoting Peace and Sustainability”.
Dr. Sanjay Srivastava discussed the issue of virtual water and brought everyone’s
attention to this problem. Dr. IK Bhat presented overview of the vision and objective of
the center as seen by its management and enunciated “The Centre is engaged in
research and projects to develop policy framework for educational and governmental
efforts in promoting Peace and Sustainability”.
Dr Geeta Thakur, Head MRCPS presented a detailed Report on activities and
achievements of the center during the Academic Year 2021-2022. The center
organized in five Verticals, successfully accomplished many student driven initiatives.

The members expressed appreciation of the initiatives undertaken at the center
regarding courses that are being offered, students’ club activities directed towards
peace, seminars and events organized.
Dr. Markandey Rai, Senior Advisor, UN Habitat, advised MRCPS to collaborate with the
regional director of UNESCO in order to take Manav Rachna’s initiative to a higher
level. He asserted that the center should seek guidance from the famous Indian
International personalities who have solid understanding in the specific area of peace
and sustainability. He also expressed the need to implement Blue Economy for the
sustainable growth of India.
Shri Muzaffar Ahmad, Former Director General Health, Govt. of J & K emphasized
“Inculcation of values in youth through curricular and extra-curricular efforts needs to
be undertaken as a policy framework”. He suggested that Manav Rachna should
expand its efforts outside Faridabad and Haryana in order to broaden its reach, since
the programmes and initiatives undertaken by the center have potential influence
growth.
Dr. Karan Singh emphasized that MRCPS should focus on promoting ‘water harvesting’
through awareness programs. He asserted, “We should strive to teach non-medical
students in the field of health. The experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic
outbreak underlined the urgent demand for non-medical health specialists.”
The advisory board members emphasized the need of having psychology counselors
across the campus to support students in gaining psychological stability post the
traumatic experiences during the pandemic.