SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Feb 2: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General Himanshu Pathak on Thursday while delivering the convocation address urged the degree recipients to dedicate themselves to the betterment of society.
He further commented that unless they work for society, their technical knowledge and skill are not complete.
He was addressing students, teachers and other dignitaries at the 7th Convocation of the Birsa Agricultural University for 1139 students of UG, PG and PhD of sessions 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Pathak said that whatever has been achieved till now is important, however, in the coming times, researchers will have to change technologies and techniques. He urged students to make sure that they complete their duties towards society and pay all debts to others who brought them here.
He further said, “India was dependent on imports from other countries for its food grains requirements till about five decades ago but now it is exporting 15-20 million tons food grains to other countries and is also providing free ration to 15-20 countries.”
He further added that the success of Indian agriculture is a global model and if for any reason this sector lags behind, the food and nutritional security of the whole world will be under serious threat.
“PM has targeted to bring India among developed nations of the world by 2027 and to achieve this goal, the graduates of technical universities will have to devise strategies to effectively meet the challenges posed by climate change, conflict and environmental pollution,” he added.
Welcoming the guests earlier, BAU Vice Chancellor Dr Onkar Nath Singh said that the talent and works of pass outs will be judged by the amount of happiness they bring into the life of farmers with their efforts. He urged the students to become entrepreneurs and job providers instead of running after jobs.
Notably, students of seven newly established colleges of BAU including Ravindra Nath Tagore Agriculture College, Deoghar, Tilka Manjhi Agriculture College, Godda, Phulo Jahao Murmu Dairy Technology College, Hansdiha, Dumka, Horticulture College, Khuntpani, Chaibasa, Fisheries Science College, Gumla, Agriculture College, Garhwa and Agriculture Engineering College, Kanke, Ranchi participated in the convocation for the first time.
Altogether 24 students received gold medals for securing the highest overall grade point average (OGPA) in different UG and PG courses. Three students received Chancellor’s University Gold Medal for obtaining the highest OGPA in all the courses of the university during 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The three top achievers are Swapnil, M Sc (Ag) in Genetics & Plant Breeding (2019), M Devender, M Sc (Ag) in Entomology (2020) and Kajal Kumari, B F Sc, College of Fisheries Science, Gumla (2021).
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included ICAR Director Himanshu Pathak, BAU Vice Chancellor Dr Onkar Nath Singh, Heads and Deans of departments, teachers and parents of the passing students.
