Seminar on GRIHA Certification for Green Buildings held at NIT

Srinagar, Aug 18: The Indian Buildings Congress (J&K Chapter), in collaboration with the Alumni Association of NIT Srinagar, Civil Engineering Students Association (CESA) and JK Green Technologies, Monday organised a seminar on GRIHA certification for Green Buildings at the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar.As per a statement issued here, the seminar was inaugurated by Er. Aamir Ali, Chairman, Indian Buildings Congress (J&K Chapter), who emphasised the urgent need to adopt sustainable building practices in Jammu and Kashmir, given the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and rising challenges of climate change. He highlighted that GRIHA certification provides a structured framework for ensuring energy efficiency, waste reduction, and eco-friendly construction, and urged engineers and students to act as champions of green technology in their professional careers. Dr. (Prof.) Mohammed Ashraf Shah, Dean Alumni Association and International Affairs, NIT Srinagar, welcomed the participants and announced that the seminar marked the first phase of the Alumni Back to Classroom (ABC) Program, launched by the Alumni Association. Under this initiative, distinguished alumni share their professional insights, real-world experiences and practical wisdom with students and faculty, helping bridge the academia–industry gap. The keynote experts included Er. Bashir Ahmed Dar, Managing Director JK Green Technologies and Former Secretary Technical, J&K Power Development Department, Government of J&K, who has been the batch topper of Electrical Engineering, REC Srinagar, 1996 and Er. Suhail Qadir, Electrical Engineer, Batch 1990, REC Srinagar, currently heading the Qatar Energy and serving as the Founder Managing Partner of JK Green Technologies. The seminar was attended by students and faculty of NIT Srinagar, including Dr. Saad Parvez, Professor Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Shahid Saleem, Professor Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Shagoofta Rasool Shah, Professor Civil Engineering, Dr. Dasari Karthik, Coordinator CESA, Dr HS Pali, NIT Alumni Association. Also present were eminent engineers and professionals including Er. Rafiq Ahmed Rafiq, Former Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir and Er. Abdul Aziz Lone, Executive Engineer. The seminar also witnessed participation from nearly 100 online attendees across India. Online participants included Er. Ravinder Shekher, Vice Chairman IBC (J&K Chapter); Er. Irfan Shafi Parray, Honorary Secretary IBC, Er. Ankur Nanda Treasurer IBC, Er. Muzafar A. Beigh, Asst. General Manager, BSNL, Er. Syed Shabir Rufai, Principal, SSM Polytechnic College, Adil Rashid Naqash, CAO, SSM, Er Shaista Waseem, besides other staff and students of SSM College of Engineering, Parihaspora, Government Polytechnics and ITIs, SP College, Amar Singh College and engineers from Public Works Department, BSNL, PMGSY, Irrigation and Flood Control, Power Grid Corporation of India and REW Kashmir. The experts addressed various questions raised by participants, making the session highly interactive and enriching. The seminar was coordinated by the office bearers of the Civil Engineering Students Association (CESA), including its President Sabaat Riyaz Qureshi.