On August 9, 2024, the DLLE club of the MET Institute of Pharmacy (Degree) hosted an awareness seminar on the auspicious day of Nag Panchami, a festival rooted in Hindu mythology where snakes are revered, especially during the monsoon season. The guest speakers for the day were Mr. Chaitanya Keer, a Sarpmitra, nature enthusiast and founder of 'Nature Rocks,' and Ms. Apurva Patil a Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation expert.
Mr. Chaitanya Keer discussed snake taxonomy, differentiating between venomous and non-venomous species, and debunked myths about snakes and Nag Panchami. He also shared stories of rescuing snakes across India and offered practical advice on first aid for snakebites. The seminar concluded with an engaging Q&A session with both our experts, providing participants with valuable insights into the significance of snakes and the festival and how we should understand our culture and learn from it rather than believing in rituals blindly.