1.  Welcome Address by Ajeet Cour

  In our SAARC Region, besides sharing our clouds and monsoons, our birds and animals, our oceans and rivers, our flora and fauna, we also share long civilizational journeys, horizontally and vertically, on micro and macro levels. We therefore share our pain and anguish too. Our concern is about the environment and anguish about the two senseless wars going on in the world.
Our river waters are being placed in ‘nooses’, the race for industrialization is eating into our fertile lands and forests, peaceful tribal villages have become places of long struggles for survival; mindless mining is ruining our fertile lands; slaughtering and butchering of trees of our ancient forests are pushing out huge numbers of tribal population which have been living there from times immemorial. Rare species of birds and animals are being pushed to extinction.
Can there be a world of memories? Beautiful as they might be, can the future generation subsist just on stories? Will only the ghosts of the bounties of nature be left for posterity? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves. The questions of the future generations shall be more stark, accusing and punishing. Why didn’t those who could, not act? Why when we knew time was slipping out of our fingers, did we not stop our offensive on mother earth?
As the Himalayan glaciers deplete, the sea level rises and the bald patches become more prominent in the traditional thick forest lands, it is only befitting that the pen wielders of the SAARC region make it their primary concern.
Sustainability, careful planning, austerity is the only mantra; conservation the only chant. Can we raise our own SAARC-specific voice in international environment fora to save the planet from extinction?
I hope we will make the policy-makers listen to our concerns and our appeal, because we are together as one voice of our SAARC family of 6 neighboring countries out of which 2 are not able to participate (Pakistan & Afghanistan) due to political reasons.
These conferences are now self-funded with the earning of my painter daughter Arpana Caur. I am very grateful for the help of our Vice President Deo Prakash Choudhury, our Executive Manager  Mr. R.K. Sethi who is with us Since 49 years like a family member, Pritima Vats who has joined us recently, and Dr. Vanita & Kavita Singhal for compering. To them I owe immense gratitude. I also express gratitude to all of you who have helped to make this festival a great success by coming year after year, Contributing your time & passion.
AJEET COUR