Work for farmers, Prez tells students

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, May 21

The classroom teaching should be practically put to use for the betterment of the agrarian sector by students of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, said President Ram Nath Kovind here on Monday. He was addressing staff and students of the university on the occasion of its 9th convocation. He said he considered each student and teacher of this university to be a technically-equipped friend and partner of the farmer and said the role of the agriculture scientists in the nation’s development could not be ignored.

Kovind recalled the contribution of the state’s first Chief Minister Dr YS Parmar on the occasion and also dwelt on the role of a simple villager, Baba Bhalkhu, who had helped the British carve out the 112-year-old engineering marvel of the Kalka-Shimla railline, which was now a UNESCO heritage rail track.

Elaborating on the significance of Nauni university, he said it had the distinction of being the first horticultural university in Asia. He said the research in horticulture and forestry had a special significance for the agrarian community of the mountainous region. He lauded the university’s contribution in the past three decades and said it had helped in the advancement of horticulture and forestry in the state.

The President congratulated the students for pursuing education in the agricultural sector and said it was associated with the prosperity of farmers and the entire country. He said branding of agrarian products was gaining significance and Himachal had earned a high-brand value for products like apples from Kinnaur, Mushrooms from Solan, flowers from Sirmaur and tea from Kangra.

Quoting from the national anthem, “Bharat bhagya vidhata”, he said it was an apt description for the students who had the onus of ensuring development of the country and he urged them to adopt entrepreneurship. He said their goal should not be limited to securing a job, rather they should use their knowledge to generate jobs. There is immense potential in the field of fruit and vegetable processing and the university students can utilise their knowledge to enhance the prospects of the agrarian community, he further said.

He urged the students to avail benefits of various schemes and initiatives of the Union and the state governments to boost the farming sector. He also emphasised that the farmers needed to use modern technology to reap higher benefits.

The President was happy that a large number of women had excelled and six out of nine gold medals had been bagged by girls. One among them had bagged two medals. He said the women not only contributed more to traditional farming, but women from the hills were more hardworking and they had proved themselves in all fields.

He presented degrees to 462 students on the occasion. University’s Chancellor-cum-Governor Acharya Devvrat in his address, urged the students to acknowledge the contribution of teachers in shaping their lives. He said the horticulturists had great expectations from the university and also dwelt upon the significance of zero budget natural farming.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur lauded the contribution of the university in producing best scientists and professionals for the state and the nation. The students passing out from this university had earned name in various reputed institutes not only in India but across the world, he said.

Dr HC Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of the university, welcomed the President and other dignitaries and also read out the nnual report on the occasion.

Dr NS Rathore, Deputy Director General (Education) Research and Extension Council, ICAR, New Delhi, gave a discourse on “Higher education in agriculture” on the occasion.Rajesh Kumar, Registrar of the university, presented the vote of thanks.Speaker Vidhan Sabha Dr Rajiv Bindal, MLAs DR Shandil and Dr Rajiv Saizal and MP Shimla Virender Kashyap were also present on the occasion.

Prez politely declines honorary degree 

President Ram Nath Kovind declined the university's offer of being conferred with a honorary doctorate degree and said he was not capable of accepting it while respecting their sentiments. The university had duly included this as part of their official programme and he was supposed to be conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Science at the onset of the convocation.Roads closed for civic reception today 

Roads closed for civic reception today 

Shimla: The public could face some inconvenience while commuting as President Ram Nath Kovind will attend the civic reception hosted by the state government at Peterhoff on Tuesday. As the reception is scheduled to start at 4 pm, the roads will remain closed at Chharabra, Mashobra diversion, Dhalli Chowk, Dhalli tunnel, Sanjauli Chowk, Navbahar Chowk, Kennedy Chowk, IIAS, Boileauganj and Summer Hill from 3:10 pm to 3:50 pm and 5:40 pm to 6:10 pm. To ensure that school kids do not face any problem in returning home, schools have been told to close at 1:30 pm (half day), said Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap, adding that the HRTC authorities providing services to schools had also been informed about the change in timings. Meanwhile, President's wife Savita Kovind, along with her daughter and daughter-in-law, visited the Gram Shilp Mela organised by the Language, Art and Culture Department at Bantony Castle. She also bought Chamba chappals and had tea at the ADC Club on The Ridge. TNS