On February 03, 2026, Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management organized an insightful session under ‘Shape the Mind Programme’ on the theme “Tackling Food Loss and Waste: Approaches for a Sustainable Future.” The expert talk was delivered by the eminent Dr. Manju Bala, Principal Scientist, FG & OP Division, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana. The Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Vishal Kumar welcomed Dr. Manju and expressed his admiration for the distinguished speaker and hoped that students would continue to benefit from her avant-garde ideas and scholarly insights through future visits. Mr. Vinay Dawar introduced Dr. Manju Bala with warm and felicitating words, highlighting her remarkable contributions in the field. Dr. Manju Bala delivered her lecture in a lively and scholarly manner, emphasizing the immense potential of youth in addressing the critical issue of food loss and waste. She enriched her address with practical, day to day examples and compelling data to substantiate her points. One of the central messages of her talk was, “A grain saved is actually a grain produced,” underlining the importance of mindful consumption and conservation. She encouraged students to contribute actively by donating surplus food to food banks, participating in initiatives such as the Eat Right India movement, and spreading awareness through workshops, seminars, and conferences. She stressed that wasting food also means wasting valuable nutrients and resources. Urging the audience to take personal responsibility, she remarked that change should not be awaited but initiated by oneself. In a profound statement, she reminded everyone that humans are children of Mother Earth and bear a sacred duty to work for her well-being. The students highly appreciated not only the depth and relevance of the talk but also the inspiring personality of Dr. Manju Bala. The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Puja Jain. Mr. Sahil Ghai also played an important role in ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the event.
