Mysuru: University of Mysore (UoM), in association with Gandhi Study Centre and Women’s Study Centre, in collaboration with State Planning Board, Development Research Foundation, Universiti Putra Malaysia and International School of Business & Research, hosted a three-day International Conference on ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Rural Development’ at the Senate Bhavan in Manasagangothri recently.  

More than 200 papers were presented in 24 sessions, headed and judged by eminent panellists who witnessed presentations made by various foreign and Indian faculties of Varsities and NGOs and representatives from some foreign countries like Afghanistan, Nepal, Cairo, etc., on various problems being faced by the farming community with case studies and best practices.

The “Swach Gram” paper presented by Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, Social Activist and Environmentalist of Mysuru, was adjudged as the best and he was honoured with the “Best Paper Presenter” award.

Mysoremath’s paper dealt with how even after 70 years of democratic rule in India, rural folk were being denied basic needs and suggested doable, economical and sustainable 4-in-1 solutions for providing grassroots level solutions with intervention of available green  technologies and with community participation for  providing toilets — Indian and Western type for elderly/disabled, making available clean drinking water bereft of e.coli and bacteria, supply of hot water for cooking and bathing with the help of solar power, providing lighting to rural homes with renewable energy, was appreciated.