SAC holds national seminar on Sustainable Social Development

Mangaluru: A one day national seminar on “Sustainable Social Development” organised by the Department of Sociology, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous) and St. Aloysius Evening College was held at the Eric Mathias Hall on March 3, in collaboration with the Mangalore Sociology Association (R).

Dr. R Indira, President of the Indian Sociological Association, New Delhi was the chief guest of the programme and inaugurated the event by watering a sapling. Rev. Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, Principal of St. Aloysius College (Autonomous) presided over the event.

Melvin Rego, President of the Mangalore Sociology Association, Richard Pais, Editor of “Samaja Shodhana”, Dr. Vinay Rajat, Head of the Department of Sociology, Mangalore University, Conveners of the event Fr. Alphonse Fernandes and Dr. Basil Hans, Dr. Manohar Serrao, Principal of St. Aloysius Evening College, Mangaluru and Event Secretary Prema DSouza were present.

Dr. Indira was felicitated on the occasion for being elected as the President of the Indian Sociological Association, New Delhi. She also released the 26th volume of “Samaja Shodhana”, a journal published by the Mangalore Sociology Association.

In her inaugural speech, Dr. Indira said, “The word sustainability, generally used to look at that kind of development while promoting growth, does not destroy natural resources and the livelihood of people. Real sustainable development takes place when we are able to bridge the gaps between the one placed at the lower ranks of the social hierarchy and those on the top.”

She opined that equal opportunities did not exist due to various barriers.

Fr. Praveen Martis in his presidential address said, “We need to create equal opportunities for all. We have a great responsibility to see that all of them get a meal everyday and get primary education. There should not be discrimination between skilled and manual labour. ‘How to reduce inequality?’, should be the question asked by today’s sociologists. Greed is taking away the need of the Indians.” Urging the participants to take care of the creations God has gifted them, he invited them to be the agents of change.

The day’s event will consist of talks on the main subject, “Sustainable Social Development.”