On the occasion of World Food
Day, Bio Engineering Research Centre (BERC) of Rai Foundation Colleges,
Belapur, Navi Mumbai, organized an educational event, based on the
universal theme, "Investing In Agriculture For Food Security".
The occasion was celebrated for the third consecutive year at BERC. It's
an annual international event to mark the foundation of Food &
Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the United Nations Organization on
October 16, 1945. The objective of this day is creating awareness for
the need to eradicate hunger across the globe. The commitment to stand
united against the menace of hunger, poverty, and diseases goes beyond
just the celebration of the world food day.
BERC ensures that a part of collection made from various activities
round the year is voluntarily used by students to promote social causes.
In the year 2004, the money was shared with an orphanage at Mankhurd for
medicine and Vitamin A drops. The following year (2005) part of donation
was used to support of a child through CRY (Child Rights & You). The
thought philosophy behind the celebration every year is to address
difficult issues in entertaining manner.
The two days program managed by the students of biotechnology was
marked with a number of events like a quiz, nutritious food stalls,
educative posters competition, and games. Eminent guest speakers made
presentations. Students, faculty and staff from all departments
participated whole-heartedly. The celebrations were commenced with the
lighting of the traditional lamp. The Biovita quiz was a great success.
The poster competition reflected the sensitivity of the youth towards
the worst of the crises, the mankind is facing. The exploitation of the
farmers, effect of pollution on agricultural lands in war-stricken
countries, food paucity, etc. were very well depicted in the posters.
The food stalls were most popular during the event. The students
prepared food and drinks ranging from Indian to Italian. Besides proving
their culinary talent, the designing ability was also on the display at
every stall. The School of Fashion Technology (SOFT) had a surprise for
all - a mannequin dressed in vegetables made all heads turn.
The second day hosted eminent guest speakers. Dr A.K. Kohli, Chief
Executive of Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), a
division of BARC, enlightened the students and faculty on "
Radiation Processing of Foods ". The second speaker, Dr. S. V.
Gadre, Retd. Asstt. Director and Head, Dept.of Bacteriology, Haffkine
Institute discussed "PCR & Its Application" . Both the
speakers enlightened the students by sharing their experiences and
knowledge. They also distributed prizes to the winners of various
events. BERC students shared the responsibility, knowledge, fun and
presented a successful collective effort.

