SIBM BENGALURU PAYS A TRIBUTE TO PLANET EARTH

Bangalore, Karnataka, August 31, 2013 – Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Bengaluru hosted an NGO-CSR meet, Utthaan 2013. The event was organized by the Social Responsibility Committee and the theme was "Infinite growth on a Finite planet".

Utthaan is an endeavor to dwell deeper into and get a panoramic view of the recent dilemma that India faces: Economic Development or Environment? India is on the road to development, transforming itself from an agriculture-based economy to an industrial economy. The downside to this upward graph ranges from global warming to other natural calamities. This event tried to answer the basic question: Can Economic Development and a Healthy Environment co-exist together? Or are they mutually exclusive?

To shed light on this dilemma, a number of dignitaries and guests graced the occasion. Mr. Yellappa Reddy (Governing Council Member, Foundation for Ecological Security of India), Mr Vimlendu Jha (Founder & Head of Swechha), Dr. Sridhar Babu (Fellow at TERI-The Energy and Resources Institute), Mr. Mohan Polamarsetty (CEO of Climate Miles), Mr. Brikesh Singh (Public Engagement Manager, Greenpeace India), Ms. Malini Shankar (IPS Correspondent, Wildlife Photojournalist, Radio Broadcaster & Documentary Filmmaker) & Mr. Madhusoodan M.K. (Special Correspondent, Times of India).

The event began with Mr. Yellappa Reddy sharing his thoughts and experiences with the audience. He talked about the evolution of life on the planet and what is the current scenario. He stressed on how we, as human beings, are playing with the planet. This was followed by Mr. Vimlendu Jha addressing the young minds. He forced the students to think about three basic issues – sustainability, finite resources and their unequal distribution.

An interactive and exciting panel discussion followed, where a volley of thoughts were exchanged. It encompassed everything from pollution on Earth to the Industrialization trend to the 2% CSR Bill introduced by the Parliament.

Mr. Madhusoodan MK, who acted as the moderator of the discussion, concluded by telling the students one simple mantra, "You be the change that you want to see."

All in all, it was an inspiring and motivational event. The panelists gave a lot of insight into what works for the environment and what does not. The students took back a lot of information and were more sensitive towards the environment at the end of it.

Amoolya Anantharamu, the head of the Social Responsibility Committee says “It is always inspiring and satisfying to organize such kind of events. Even if we are able to motivate 10% of the audience, we know that we have started making a difference. In the end, it is all about sleeping peacefully at night, knowing that we are doing something good about the planet."

Arka Sarkar, an organizer from the junior batch says “Such kind of events are different as they make you think out of the box. Every single moment, we can do our part in saving the planet. If each one of us contributes, together we can make the world a better place to live in. In the end, it is all about the little differences that each citizen can make. I am glad that I was a part of this event"