Shillong ,Aug 6: An event titled “Oneness Seminar on Geology and Human Heart” was organised on Saturday by city-based socio-cultural organization Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Centre (SNGCC) at its Oneness Center, as a precursor to the 20th anniversary of SNGCC and the 169th birth anniversary of Narayana Guru
Deputy Director GeneSreeral (DD RTG), Regional Office, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Shillong, Dr. Pankaj Jaiswal while presenting his paper, “Importance of Landslide Studies & its Socio-Economic Impacts on Indigenous People” said that lifestyle hazards relate to both geology and human heart.
The DDG, who worked on various landslide projects of GSI in the country, said that landslides do not happen in a particular geographical location alone and can take place anywhere.
Focusing on Meghalaya, the DDG said the landslide patterns here are quite small than others and they are mainly of debris nature.
In terms of societal obligations, the DDG pointed out that people don’t give landslides the same importance as earthquakes, floods, and other natural phenomena. “Society will generally respond when a landslide occurs, say, on an individual’s property, by explaining that it may have been caused by their deeds. The same is not heard of in case of earthquakes, floods, cyclones etc. since the damages are greater,” he said.
For this, the DDG, who established a regional landslide early warning centre at Geohazards Research and Management (GHRM), Kolkata and supervised the issuance of landslide warning bulletins for the first time in the country, said that the only solution to landslides is early warning.
He said the 1999 Orissa Super Cyclone took 10,000 lives and thereafter there have been only 6 casualties in the cyclones that took place. This is primarily because of the early warning system in place.
Associate Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Dr. Reuben Lamiaki Kynta in his paper “Protecting the Heart from Diabetes and Hypertension” said that 75% of cardio vascular diseases occur in low and middle income countries.
His presentation discussed the risks of modern life, especially fast foods and packaged foods, which are causing more harm. To lead a healthy lifestyle, he recommended consuming more vegetables and fruits along with prescribed amount of physical activity.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor, NEHU, Shillong, Prof. P.S. Shukla said that Sree Narayana Guru always emphasized men’s feelings for each other. He said that both landslides and human hearts are burning topics in this part of the country. He observed that scientific researches, hydrological, metrological studies and research can address this.
The technical session of the seminar was moderated by Head, Department of Geology, NEHU, Shillong, Dr. Devesh Walia and Psychiatrist, Mind & Wellness Clinic, Shillong, Dr. Pakha Tesia.
Earlier, the President, SNGCC, E.S. Mawlong gave welcome address.
