Uttarakhand News: The two-day alumni conference organized at Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar was inaugurated by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi by lighting the lamp.
Uttarakhand is becoming the spiritual capital of the world
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, while addressing the program, said that he is blessed to come to Pantnagar, the holy land of Green Revolution. He said that Pantnagar University is a proud center of the history of Indian agriculture, which has given a new direction to the agriculture and rural economy by providing scientists, policy-makers, agricultural entrepreneurs and excellent human resources to the country. He said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand is moving towards becoming the spiritual capital of not only the country but the world.
Pantnagar University’s contribution is incomparable
Describing Pantnagar University as a triveni confluence of tradition, modernity and research, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that today the country is producing about 377 million tonnes of food grains. The country’s grain stores are completely full and India has overtaken China and reached the first place in the world in rice production. He said that wheat production is also surplus and the demand for Indian wheat and Basmati rice is continuously increasing across the world. He said that the contribution of Pantnagar University in this achievement is incomparable and hence he pays homage to this holy land again and again.
Dialogue with the future of agriculture
The Union Agriculture Minister said that as an Agriculture Minister it is very important to remain connected to the ground and he was fortunate to interact with students and experts in Pantnagar. He said that he has not only communicated with the students but with the future of Indian agriculture. He expressed confidence that the students getting education from here will bring glory to India in the country and the world.
came to learn not to teach
He said that he has come to Pantnagar not to teach, but to learn. Pantnagar University has not only awarded degrees but has also produced scientists, policy-makers, industry leaders and agri-entrepreneurs who have played a vital role in empowering the Indian agricultural and rural economy.
Big challenges facing Indian agriculture
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that at present Indian agriculture is facing serious challenges like climate change. Solutions to problems like rising temperature, falling groundwater level, changing climate, deteriorating soil health and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers are possible only through scientific research and innovation. He said that the country has set new records in the field of production, but the role of agricultural scientists and universities will be very important in finding solutions to future challenges.
Developed India builds from developed agriculture
The Union Agriculture Minister said that all the international agreements related to agricultural products have been made under the leadership of the Prime Minister, keeping the farmers and national interest as the top priority. He reiterated that the resolve to build a developed India will be realized only when agriculture develops and farmers prosper.
message of environmental protection
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that he plants one sapling every day. He appealed to everyone that if it is not possible to plant a tree every day, then at least plant a tree on their birthday, because environmental protection is the biggest need of the hour.
Emphasis on conservation of traditional crops
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami laid emphasis on the conservation of traditional crops and expressed the need to promote the production of fruits and diverse agricultural products. He also called for forming a committee of university alumni and experts to give concrete suggestions to solve the problems related to agricultural production, so that they can be seriously considered.
Role of Alumni
Addressing the program, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the role of alumni of universities is very important in building a developed Uttarakhand. He called upon the alumni to contribute actively in agriculture, research, innovation, startups and youth guidance by linking their knowledge, experience and expertise to the development of the state.
Alumni Workshop Brain 3.0
Addressing the alumni workshop “Brain 3.0 (Boosting Research, Academic, Innovation and Networking)” organized at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, the Chief Minister said that the role of alumni of universities is very important in building a developed Uttarakhand. He said that Pantnagar University is not just an educational institution but has been an important center of India’s Green Revolution. This university has given the country such scientists, administrators, entrepreneurs and agricultural experts who have created their own unique identity at the national and international level. He said that “Brain 3.0” is not just a workshop, but an effective platform connecting knowledge, experience, innovation and future possibilities.
Students are recognized by their achievements
He said that the real identity of any institution is not from its buildings, but from the achievements of the students coming out of it. Alumni are the greatest strength of the University and powerful representatives of its glorious tradition. He said that it is important to achieve success in life, but what is even more important is to share that success and experience with the society and the coming generations.
Mentorship Program
The Chief Minister urged the alumni to run mentorship programs for the youth, support research work, promote innovation and startup culture and become a strong bridge between academia and industry. He said that today’s youth is not just a job seeker but a youth who leads change through innovation and entrepreneurship. In such a situation, the guidance of experienced alumni can provide new direction and new heights to the youth. The Chief Minister said that the present time is the era of modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), drone technology, data analytics, biotechnology and digital agriculture. In line with the rapid changes taking place in these areas, universities and alumni will also have to make their role more effective.
Meeting challenges with innovation
He said that the hill agriculture of Uttarakhand is today facing many challenges like small and scattered farms, damage to crops from wild animals, migration of youth, limited market access and climate change. Solution of these problems is possible not only through government schemes, but through knowledge, research, innovation and collective participation. He called upon the alumni to guide the farmers and youth in the field of modern agricultural technologies, organic and natural farming, agro-processing, value addition, digital marketing and agri-entrepreneurship.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Uttarakhand is moving rapidly towards overall and balanced development. The goal of the state government is not just economic development, but such an inclusive development in which villages, poor, farmers, women and youth all participate equally. He said that the state government is providing opportunities to the youth to grow through the new startup policy, skill development programs and innovation based initiatives. There is immense potential especially in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, food processing, organic farming, drone technology and agro-based startups. Youth should find solutions to local problems and take their innovations to the global platform.
resolution without option
The Chief Minister said that the State Government is continuously working to build a developed Uttarakhand with the mantra of “Resolve without options”. He expressed confidence that the support of Pantnagar University and its alumni will give further impetus to this campaign.
He urged the alumni not only to see Uttarakhand as their birthplace or workplace, but also to understand their responsibility towards its development and wherever they are working, they must dedicate a part of their knowledge and experience for the development of Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the alumni family of Pantnagar University will play an important role in the coming years not only in the development of the University but also in Uttarakhand and nation building.
Earlier, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected Pantnagar Museum and the stalls set up by women of self-help groups and interacted with the students of Agricultural University. He also planted paddy crop along with the students. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also planted saplings in Pantnagar University campus.
Agricultural land decreased but yield increased
Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, while welcoming and congratulating all the guests and alumni present at Pantnagar University, the mother of Green Revolution, said that after the formation of the state, our agricultural land has definitely reduced, but agricultural production has increased by 3 lakh tonnes. He said that all-round development of the state is taking place under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He requested to declare Pantnagar University as a heritage university.
Pantnagar University Vice Chancellor Dr. S. Of. Kashyap welcomed and felicitated all the guests. MP Ajay Bhatt, MLA Shiv Arora, Trilok Singh Cheema, Banshidhar Bhagat, Status Minister Anil Kapoor Dabbu, Hukam Singh Kunwar, Ranjit Singh Namdhari, Secretary Dr. S. were present in the program. N. Pandey, District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Ganpati, Registrar Deepa Vinay and many other officers and alumni were present.