Date | 22.03.2025:
As part of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad's ongoing centenary celebrations, the EIACP Programme Centre (RP), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, jointly with the Institution of Engineers (India), Dhanbad Local Centre, celebrated World Water Day 2025 on Saturday, March 22nd, at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. The event aimed to raise awareness about sustainable water management, with a particular focus on this year’s theme glacier preservation and the impact of microplastics on water ecosystems. It provided a platform for discussions on innovative solutions to combat water pollution and conservation challenges in alignment with the World Water Day 2025.
The event commenced with a formal inaugural session, graced by eminent dignitaries including Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Associate Professor in Operations Management, University of Cambridge, UK as the event's Chief Guest; Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) & Chairman, IEI, Dhanbad Local Centre; Prof. Subrata Hait, Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, IIT Patna, as the event’s invited Keynote Speaker; Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) & Honorary Secretary, IEI Dhanbad Local Centre; Prof. Alok Sinha, Event Convenor, HOD, Dept. of ESE & Coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM); and Prof. Suresh Pandian E., Event Co-convenor, Associate Professor, Dept. of ESE & Co-coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM).
At the outset, Prof. Alok Sinha, the Event Convenor, HOD, Department of ESE, and Coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM), delivered a warm and insightful welcome address. Prof. Sinha set the stage for the event by briefing the audience about the meticulously planned series of activities designed to engage and enlighten the participants, specifically for the School Children from orient Public School, Dhanbad - the young guardians of our environment and future stewards of the planet. Following this, Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Department of ESE and Honorary Secretary, IEI, Dhanbad Local Centre, provided a concise yet profound introduction to World Water Day, emphasizing its significance in the global discourse on water conservation. Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM), and Chairman, IEI, Dhanbad Local Centre, then addressed the gathering. Prof. Dheeraj also being the Project Director of TexMin Hub—a Mining Innovation Hub established by the Government of India at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad—he shared his insights on the critical importance of sustainable water management in the mining sector. Prof. Dheeraj also highlighted various initiatives undertaken by IIT (ISM) Dhanbad toward water conservation, underscoring the institution’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The session culminated with an inspiring address by the Chief Guest, Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Associate Professor, Operations Management at the University of Cambridge, UK. With his profound insights and vast expertise, Dr. Kumar shared his words of wisdom, leaving the audience enriched with valuable perspectives on water conservation and sustainability.
The session progressed with a compelling keynote lecture on "Microplastics in Water: From Pollution to Solution" by the invited Keynote Speaker, Prof. Subrat Hait, Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, IIT Patna. Prof. Hait’s session shed light on the pervasive issue of microplastics in water, highlighting their sources, pathways, and far-reaching impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human health, while also exploring sustainable solutions and policy interventions for mitigating this pressing environmental crisis and safeguard our water resources for the future generations.
Following the Keynote Lecture, a Q&A session allowed the participants to engage in meaningful discussions with the speaker. Attendees were also shown informative documentary films on glacier preservation, which reinforced the importance of safeguarding the world's freshwater reserves. These informative videos provided a deeper understanding of the crucial role glaciers play in sustaining global water ecosystems and highlighted the pressing need for their conservation.
Before the concluding segment of the event, we expressed our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed Keynote Speaker for gracing this occasion with his presence and valuable insights. As a token of our appreciation and respect, Prof. Alok Sinha and Prof. Biswajit Paul presented mementoes to the distinguished guest, Prof. Subrat Hait, from IIT Patna.
Following this, the World Water Day Pledge was taken in Hindi, reaffirming our commitment to protecting our precious water resources and promoting sustainable water management practices. The Pledge was recited by Dr. Avantika Chandra, Information Officer, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM).
The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Suresh Pandian, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, and participants for making the celebration a grand success. A World Water Day Pledge was taken, reaffirming the commitment to responsible water conservation practices. The dignitaries, faculty members, and students then gathered for a group photograph, marking the culmination of this impactful event. Following the insightful keynote lecture, as part of the hands-on learning experience, around 100 students from Orient Public School actively participated in educational visits to IIT (ISM)’s Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) plants, where they gained insights into wastewater treatment processes. They also explored the Modular Underground Rainwater Harvesting System and other artificial recharge and rainwater harvesting structures in IIT (ISM) Dhanbad campus, and learned about real-world sustainable water management initiatives.
The students also had the opportunity to visit the Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building, and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) Centre, where they engaged with digital resources and about the awareness programs aligned with Mission LiFE: Lifestyle for Environment campaign. At the Department of Environmental Science & Engineering (ESE) laboratories, the students were introduced to various instruments used for environmental research, water quality analysis, and pollution monitoring. Through live demonstrations and interactive sessions, the students gained practical knowledge about real-world environmental challenges and technological solutions, further enriching their understanding of water conservation and treatment technologies.
Overall, the World Water Day 2025 celebration at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad successfully fostered awareness and discussions on glacier preservation, microplastic pollution, and sustainable water management, inspiring young minds to take proactive steps in addressing global water challenges.
INFORMATIVE BOOKLET ON THE OCCASSION OF WORLD WATER DAY 2025 - Prepared by IIT (ISM) EIACP (PC-RP).
Glimpses of Celebration of Water Day held on 22.03.2025 at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
Gathering of dignitaries, guests, participants, and faculty members at the venue for the celebration of World Water Day 2025.
School Children from Orient Public School, Dhanbad Participating in the World Water Day 2025 Event.
Informative booklet on World Water Day, prepared by the IIT (ISM) EIACP Programme Centre, distributed among the participants.
Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) and Honorary Secretary, IEI, Dhanbad Local Centre, interacting with the school children participating in the World Water Day 2025 Event.
Esteemed dignitaries, guests, participants, and faculty members attending the celebration of World Water Day 2025.
Dignitaries at the Dais (L to R): Prof. Suresh Pandian, Event Co-convenor, Associate Professor, Dept. of ESE & Co-coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM); Prof. Subrata Hait, Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, IIT Patna, as the event's invited Keynote Speaker; Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) & Chairman, IEI, Dhanbad Local Centre; Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Associate Professor in Operations Management, University of Cambridge as the event's Chief Guest; Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) & Honorary Secretary, IEI, Dhanbad Local Centre; Prof. Alok Sinha, Event Convenor, HOD, Dept. of ESE & Coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM).
Welcome Address delivered by Prof. Alok Sinha, Event Convenor, HOD, Dept. of ESE & Coordinator, EIACP Programme Centre, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
Prof. Biswajit Paul, addressing the audience and sharing his thoughts.
Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) & Chairman, IEI, Dhanbad Local Centre, addressing the gathering with his valuable words.
Chief Guest, Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Associate Professor in Operations Management at the University of Cambridge sharing his words of wisdom with the gathering.
Invited Keynote Speaker, Dr. Subrata Hait, Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, IIT Patna delivering the Keynote Lecture on "Microplastics in Water: From Pollution to Solution".
Keynote Lecture on "Microplastics in Water: From Pollution to Solution"
Participants attending the Keynote Lecture on "Microplastics in Water: From Pollution to Solution".
Participants engaged in a meaningful discussions with the speaker during the Q&A Session.
Participants engaged in a meaningful discussions with the speaker during the Q&A Session.
Prof. Subrata Hait interacting with the participants during the Q&A Session.
Short educational videos related to this year’s World Water Day theme — ‘Glacier Preservation’ shown during the World Water Day 2025 Event.
Prof. Alok Sinha and Prof. Biswajit Paul presenting the memento to the esteemed Keynote Speaker, Prof. Subrat Hait for gracing this occasion with his presence and valuable insights.
Prof. Suresh Pandian E. , delivering the concluding remarks and vote of thanks.
Dr. Avantika Chandra, Information Officer, EIACP (PC-RP), Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) reciting the World Water Day Pledge.
Participants taking the World Water Day Pledge.
Dr. Avantika Chandra, Information Officer, EIACP (PC-RP), Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) reciting the World Water Day Pledge.
Participants taking the World Water Day Pledge.
Participants taking the World Water Day Pledge.
Group Photo
School Children visiting the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Campus. Dr. S.P. Ghosh, Sr. Technical Superintendent, Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) along with Mr. Suraj Dash Jr. Technical Staff, explaing the mechanism of the STP to the School Children.
Dr. S.P. Ghosh, Sr. Technical Superintendent, Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) explaining to the students about Artificial Rainwater Harvesting.
Participants visiting Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, IIT (ISM).
Participants visiting the Department of ESE laboratories, and were introduced to various instruments used for environmental research, water quality analysis, and pollution monitoring.
Participants visiting the Department of ESE laboratories, and were introduced to various instruments used for environmental research, water quality analysis, and pollution monitoring.
Participants visiting the Department of ESE laboratories, and were introduced to various instruments used for environmental research, water quality analysis, and pollution monitoring.
Participants visiting the EIACP Programme Centre, Department of ESE IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. Mr. Bishwajit Das, Programme Officer, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM) explaining the Centre's objectives and initiatives to the students while raising awareness about Mission LiFE: Lifestyle for Environment campaign.
Group Photo