The department of Geography of Gauhati University (GU) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Geographical Bureau recently hosted an international web-conference on “Covid-19 Pandemic from the Eyes of Geography: Global, National and Regional Perspectives”.
The conference which began with an inaugural function was addressed by PJ Handique, vice-chancellor, GU as inaugurator, RB Singh, secretary general of International Geographical Union as chief guest, Melinda Laituri of Colorado State University, USA as guest of honour and AK Bhagabati of Gauhati University as key-note speaker.
In the beginning, Madhushree Das, head of the department of geography, GU welcomed all present and Bimal K Kar, joint convener spoke about the background behind organizing the same.
AK Bora, joint convener offered the vote of thanks.
In four invited lecture series held on the occasion were addressed by 15 eminent geographers including 11 from other countries.
Among them, JK Routray, AIT, Bangkok spoke on covid-19 induced reverse migration challenges in India; Rejaur Rahman, University of Rajshahi on spread and dynamics of coronavirus in Bangladesh; Paula Santana and Ricardo Almendra, University of Coimbra on spatio-temporal dimensions of covid-19 in Portugal and Spain; AI Tanko and SA Kende, Bayero University on covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
PS Chapagain, Tribhuvan University spoke on Covid-induced challenges behind digital transformation of Tribhuvan University; Elena dell’Agnese of University of Milano-Bicocca on Italy under covid-19 crisis.
Brij Maharaj, University of Kwazulu-Natal throw light on covid-19 challenges in South Africa; Alexandra Chudnovsky, University of Tel-Aviv on analysing covid-19 mortality versus air pollution in the context of Israeli cities.
Ravi S. Singh, BHU focused on covid-19 and education as a stakeholder; Krishna Mohan, Panjab University on Covid-19 and emerging challenges in educational systems.
While DK Nayak, NEHU dwelt length on some reflections on caste and class in the context of Covid in India, R.B. Bhagat, IIPS highlighted issues of migration in the context of pandemic in India.
Anuradha Banerjee, JNU throw light on coronavirus crisis in Indian cities from the perspective of urban resilience.