10th APG National Conference

The 10th APG National Conference concluded at stG ovt.(State) College of Education, Patiala on 1 November, 2009. The conference carried a clear and loud message to all the geographers of the country to unite for the promotion of quality teaching and research in geography.
The conference was inaugurated by S. Jasbir Singh IAS, Commissioner, Patiala Division on 31 October, 2009. He said that geographical knowledge about the areas is essential for any kind of planning but geographers' views are not taken into consideration while planning by the government and non-government agencies. He expressed concern about it.

Awards/Honours

The APG presented the awards of honour to the following personalities for their valuable services to the discipline of geography:

Dr. D. S. Dhaliwal, former Principal Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Karnal for his services and contribution for the promotion of geography, particularly in G.N. Khalsa College, Karnal.

S. Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, MD Baba Farid Institute of Higher and Foreign Studies, Deon, Bathinda was honoured for starting geography at undergraduate level in the Baba Farid College, a constituent college thof the Institute. The Institute also hosted 9th APG National Conference and provided liberal help for the construction of Geographers’ Bhawan.

Sh K. Surjit Singh, Secretary General ISPER was honoured for continuously facilitating the publication of “Punjab Geographer” by the ISPER. ISPER also thhosted 8th APG National Conference and regularly provided desired support to the APG.

Mrs. Aradhna K. Singh, Principal Govt. College of Education, Patiala was honoured by the APG for thhosting 10 APG National Conference in the college.

Panel Discussion

A new feature of the 10th APG conference was the introduction of panel discussion.

Two sessions of panel discussion were held in the stafternoon of 1 Nov. 2009.

The first session was devoted to the theme: "Teaching and Research in Geography at University Level”. This session was chaired by Dr. Gopal Krishan, Professor Emeritus, Punjab University, Chandigarh. Dr. B.S.Sokhi, Dr. K.K. Das, IIRS ; Dr. S. Hasan Ansari, Rohtak ; Dr. B. S. Marh, Shimla ; Dr. Krishan Mohan, P.U. Chandigarh, Dr. S.P. Kaushik, K.U.K and Dr. Dharm Singh Govt. College, Ludhiana were the panelists.

The second session on the theme : “Problems and Prospects of Teaching of Geography, in Colleges and Schools” was chaired by Dr. R.C. Chandna, Professor (Retd.) Punjab University, Chandigarh. Dr. Dharm Singh, Dr. Joginder Singh from the host college, Dr. Rampal Singh, G.N. Khalsa college, Karnal, Dr. V.K. Bhardwaj, B.B.D. Govt. P.G. College, Chimanpura, Rajasthan, Dr. Lakhvir Singh, Khalsa college for women, Sidhwan, Dr. Inder Singh, S.J.K. college, Kalanaur, District Rohtak, Mr. Sukhjinder Singh, Govt. Sr. Sec. School for Girls, Faridkot and Mr. Sukhbir Inder Singh, District Institute of Education & Training participated in the discussion.

11th APG National Conference


An emergent meeting of the executive committee of stthe APG was held on 1 November, 2009 just after the concluding session of the conference to decide about the thvenue of the 11 APG National conference. Dr. S.H. Ansari, Head, Department of Geography, M. D. University, Rohtak informed that his department is willing to host the next APG .conference. His offer was accepted by the committee

News from the Colleges/Departments

Department of Geography, Punjab University, Chandigarh is conducting following activities in the department:

1. Workshop on Remote Sensing and GIS: The department is organizing a three days workshop on Remote Sensing and GIS from January 21-23, 2010 for the school and college teachers. The workshop is being convened by Dr. Navneet Kaur.

2. National Seminar: The department is organizing a National seminar on “Population Environment Linkages in North West India” on 11-12 March, 2010. Prof. (Mrs) Smita Bhutani and Dr. Gaurav are conveners.

3. NAGI: The department is hosting 32nd Indian Geography Congress on “Globalization, Population and Regional Development” on 19-21 November, 2010.

11th APG National Conference

In the Executive Committee meeting of the APG held thon 29 August, 2010 Dr. H.S. Mangat informed that the Department of Geography, MD University Rohtak took the thresponsibility for hosting 11 APG National Conference but even after repeated reminders the department has not responded. After detailed deliberations it was felt that since we are planning to lay the foundation of the Geographers' Bhawan shortly, therefore it will not be possible for the APG to hold two functions at two different places before winter. Thus, taking into account the shortage of time it was thunanimously decided that 11 APG National Conference be organized by the APG itself at Patiala on 17-18 November, 2010 along with the foundation laying ceremony of the Bhawn.

Geographers' Bhawan

All the members of the APG are aware that land spudding ceremony for the construction of Geographers' thBhawn at Patiala was performed on 12 October, 2008. Now another step forward is being taken for the construction of the building. The foundation stone of the thbuilding is proposed to be laid on 18 November, 2010. All those present on the conference will witness this historic event. All the members are requested to attend.

General Body meeting


A General body meeting will be held after the last session of the conference. The members are requested to attend the meeting and participate in the deliberations.

International Seminar on Climate Change

The Institute for Spatial Planning and Environment Research is holding a three-day International Seminar on: “Climate Change: Spatial Concerns and Mitigation Strategies” DECEMBER 16 TO 18, 2010.

SUB-THEMES :

Climate change
Human Intervention
Built Environment

UGC Grants


State College of Education received Rs. 1 lac 10 ththousands for hosting 10 APG National Conference. Similar grant was also received by the DAV College, Jalandhar and G.N. Khalsa College, Karnal for hosting APG conferences. The total amount of UGC Grant for this purpose is 1.5 lac, those who want to avail this grant to host APG National Conference can contact Prof. Veerdev Singh, State College of Education, Patiala or Dr. H.S. Mangat to know the procedure.