The Centre for Indo Canadian Studies was pleased to host Dr. Krishna Mohan, a Professor of Geography in Panjab University, Chandigarh. Professor Mohan was joined by Ravinder Singh, a Phd student in the Department of Geography also at Panjab University, Chandigarh. Both Professor Mohan and Ravinder enjoyed a two-week stay in which they attended Dr. Garry Fehr’s classes, Satwinder Bains’s classes, and also took part in community and advisory meetings.
Dr. Mohan gave a public lecture on Monday, January 28th titled “Regional Development in India: Challenges.” The talk was well attended by faculty and staff as well as students in the Geography department.
Dr. Mohan’s presentation looked at India as a country of diversities. However, existing disparities across the regions many a times threaten the unity and integrity of the nation. There are physical, economic, and social disparities in the country. The physico-geographic backward areas such as: hills, deserts, drought prone areas, etc., need special attention so that the existing disparities can be reduced. Ever since the beginning of the five year plans in India, the Government of India has introduced various instruments and area development programs to address the regional disparities. The government of India has identified 272 districts for its Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF). In addition, there are 82 districts covered under Integrated Action Plan (IAP). The talk addressed the various area development programs initiated in different plan periods and provide an overview of the various challenges faced by the planners.
Dr. Mohan is author of the book titled: Addressing Regional Backwardness: An Analysis of Area Development Programmes in India.
Dr. Krishna Mohan is a eminent professor and scholar at Department of Geography, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He always experiments on new ideas to generate new knowledge. He is the master of his discipline.
Thank you for your kind words Sandeep-it was indeed our pleasure hosting Dr. Mohan and Ravinder. Dr. Mohan’s public lecture on his final night here was also very well received.