President Ram Nath Kovind presided over the 9th Convocation of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University at Nauni Himachal
Dharamshala: President of India Ram Nath Kovind while presided over the 9th Convocation of Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Nauni in Himachal today. He was accompanied by Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
The President presented Gold Medals to meritorious students on the occasion. Apart from the gold medals, degrees were also awarded to 462 students during the convocation. President Kovind congratulated all the students receiving gold medals and degrees on the occasion.
Governor Acharya Devvrat said,”since this University was the first Horticulture University of the country and the only horticulture university of the State, therefore the horticulturists have great expectations from the University. In order to promote zero budget natural farming in the State, the University was implementing Zero Budget Natural Farming model in its campus. Zero budget natural farming would not only help in environment conservation, minimal wastage of water and increase the soil fertility, but also will produce healthy food.”
Governor Acharya Devvrat thanked the Chief Minister for making a provision of Rs 25 crore for promoting Zero Budget Natural Farming in the State.
The Governor said,” research in the field of horticulture is the need of the hour to provide hybrid varieties of fruit plants to the farmers to increase their produce so that they could survive in the present era of cut throat competition.” He urged the young scientists to work in close coordination with the farmers so that they could serve the nation in a befitting manner.
He urged the students getting degrees on the occasion to disseminate the knowledge acquired by them for the betterment of the society.
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 have earned name in various reputed institutes not only in India but throughout the world,” he added.
Chief Minister said that horticulture was playing a major role in strengthening the economy of the farmers of the State. “This University was assisting the horticulturists and farmers in providing knowledge about latest technologies and inputs,” he added. He said that the State is known as the ‘Apple State’ of the country. He stressed on better coordination between the scientists and farmers so that the State could earn a special name in production of fruits, vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants. This would not only help the farming community to increase their income but also in progress of the State. He said that the State Government would provide all possible help for carrying out research in the field of horticulture, agriculture and forestry in the State.
He also congratulated the University for being adjudged amongst the best 100 Universities for continuous best performance in a survey conducted by the Government of India.
Vice Chancellor of the University Dr H.C. Sharma welcomed the President and other dignitaries and also read out Annual report on the occasion.
Deputy Director General (Education) Research and Extension Council, ICAR New Delhi Dr N.S. Rathore gave a discourse on ‘Higher Education in Agriculture’ on the occasion.
Speaker Vidhan Sabha Dr Rajiv Bindal, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Rajiv Saizal, MP Prof. Virender Kashyap, former Minister and MLA Col. Dhani Ram Shandil, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University Palampur Dr Ashok Kumar Sarpal, faculty members of the University were present on the occasion among others.