LUDHIANA, JANUARY 2:- With the dawn of New Year 2012, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) kick started its Golden Jubilee Celebrations, here today. A colourful inaugural function was organized where all the former PAU Vice-Chancellors namely Dr S.S. Johl, Dr K.S Gill, Dr A.S. Khehra, Dr G.S. Kalkat, Dr K.S. Aulakh were honoured by the present Vice-Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon. On this occasion, the Chairman of Punjab State Farmers’ Commission (PSFC), Dr Kalkat released the Golden Jubilee Logo, conveying the message of “50 Years of Glory and Pride.” The former Vice-Chancellors released seven PAU publications including Punjab Agricultural Handbook-2012(in English and Punjabi), New Year Wall Calendar, Golden Jubilee issues of Progressive Farming and Changi Kheti and paid glowing tributes to the late Vice-Chancellors namely Dr P.N. Thapar (the founder VC), Dr M.S. Randhawa, Dr A.S. Cheema and Dr Sukhdev Singh.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Johl highlighted that PAU is the best university in the country. Stating that the team spirit of the PAU scientists paved way for the green revolution, he said that immense contributions of the scientists Drs D.S. Athwal, J.S. Kanwar, A.S.
Atwal and G.S. Sidhu cannot be forgotten who put the university on sound footing in its formative years. He called upon the scientists and the academicians to lay special thrust on organic farming and Information & Communication Technology (ICT). Dr Johl also suggested the institution of a Golden Jubilee Gold Medal for the outstanding student of the university.
Dr Gill said that the main aim of the university is to serve the farming community of Punjab, in particular, and country, in general. He suggested scientists to keep a pace with the changing research trends and exhorted the competent faculty to continue working hard and
bring laurels to the PAU in future also.
Dr Khehra remarked that no organization can succeed without the competent human resource. In the era of global competition, there is a need to focus on the thrust on human resource development in the upcoming areas including biotechnology. He said that young scientists need to be provided more opportunities of exposure to new technologies. The NRI alumni can support PAU programmes, for which efforts need to be made, he said.
Dr Kalkat hailed the scientific techniques and technologies designed by the PAU and said that no progress is possible without the new technology. He laid emphasis on evolving new technologies for income enhancement of the small farmers, marketing of agricultural produce and water management. The technology push for another green revolution
is needed, he said that small farmers can be focused with a technology back up. Dr. Kalkat said that short duration and high yielding varieties of rice may be developed as farmers will continue growing rice due to the available technology and minimum support price. New
marketing strategies and technologies were required for agriculture, he said.
Calling the PAU as a prestigious and an eminent institution, Dr Aulakh said that although science and technology are undergoing drastic changes, yet the scientists of the university are contributing in an excellent way. Stressing that discipline is important, he said that freedom without discipline is chaos. Dr. Aulakh said that adequate government support for sustaining the tempo of research and development at PAU was required.
Earlier, Dr Dhillon welcomed the dignitaries and the present PAU deans, directors, additional directors, heads of the various departments and media. Highlighting that the PAU’s contribution in ushering in an era of green revolution remains unparalleled, he said
that with the guidance and advice of the predecessors and the scientists, the university has nurtured and scaled greater heights in the past 50 years. Dr Dhillon said that PAU has produced many stalwarts in various fields who have been recipients of coveted World
Food Prize, Padma Awards, etc. and added that there is hardly any award except Bharat Ratna and the Nobel Prize that the PAU scientists have not fetched. He also highlighted that the PAU is on the forefront in the terms of generating technologies for honey and mushroom
production, efficient farm machinery, crop production and protection. He underlined the need to lay focus on the biotechnology, processing and value addition and technology relevant to small farmers. Dr Dhillon exhorted the scientists to think and explore new ideas. He
lauded the support of the State Government for promoting excellence at the PAU. He disclosed that during the year 2012, the PAU will be holding national and international seminars, conferences and workshops. The theme of the Kisan Melas will be “Pagri sambal jatta (Save your honour).” Dr. Dhillon said that the University in exercise of its social commitment has decided to develop videos of agricultural songs, poems and other material. He highlighted how PAU contributed for transforming the food deficit of the country to food sufficiency. He said that the linkage between scientists and farmers at PAU is exemplary. The country looks towards PAU said Dr. Dhillon adding that the University has identified plans to meet the emerging challenges.
Dr Dhillon honoured the former Vice-Chancellors with a shawl, memento and presented them a set of PAU publications. All the Vice-Chancellors planted the saplings of Buddha’s Coconut tree on-campus and released colourful balloons to mark the occasion.
