Himachal Governor awarded degrees to 21 students 

Dharamsala, August 23, 2021: A total 393 students were awarded degrees, including 262 graduates, 110 post graduates and 21 Ph.Ds in the 16th Convocation of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University Palampur near here ,which was held at the University Auditorium on Monday.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar presided over the Convocation while Hon’ble Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
 While delivering his address, the Hon’ble Governor appealed to the young scientists and degree holders to become job givers instead of job seekers, for which they should move towards self-employment. “Your knowledge should benefit the society and the agricultural community by contributing to the agriculture sector of the state,” said the Governor. He said that youth were the assets of the country and should contribute towards nation building activities. He said that the nation could develop only when youth were focused, disciplined and growth oriented and urged them to inculcate good values like discipline, patriotism, sincerity and devotion.
 
Shri Arlekar said that innovation through research and technology would be helpful in self-dependence of the farming community at large. While congratulating the gold medal winners, all degree recipients and esteemed alumni, the Governor said that the sapling planted in the form of this university by former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar on November 1, 1978, had become a center of high learning in the country today. “I would especially say to the students who have obtained graduation and post-graduation degrees that they should work with dedication towards society, nation and state. You have to make good use of the education and knowledge given by this university”, said the Governor.
 He said that the university was doing excellent work in the field of education, research and dissemination. He said that last year, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research ranked this university 14th in the ranking of all agricultural universities and equivalent agricultural institutions in the country, for which he applauded the university authority.
 
While addressing the Convocation, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar H.P. Agriculture University is one of the leading Universities in agricultural research and education in the Himalayan States of the country.  He said that about 90 percent of the population of Himachal Pradesh lives in rural areas with agriculture as the main occupation. The research in agriculture becomes all the more important in strengthening the economy of the State. Thus, one cannot even think of development of the State without development of the rural areas. Keeping in view the contribution of agriculture, the State Government has launched various schemes to improve productivity, generate employment and increase family income, he added.
 
Chief Minister said that research on agricultural production techniques, different crop varieties, land and water management, use and conservation of biological resources, water storage, disease and pest control techniques for different areas is vital not only to ensure optimum use of our natural resources and increase crop yield, but also strengthen the economy of the farmers. He said that this University has emerged as a premier agriculture University in the country.
 
Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Harinder Kumar Chaudhary welcomed the Governor, Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. He said that as many as 393 students were  awarded degrees during this convocation including 262 graduates, 110 post graduates and 21 Ph.Ds. He said that eight students would be awarded University Gold Medals . He also detailed various research and academic works being carried out by the University. He said that the University would also start registering 51 indigenous unique products/commodities of traditional crops of Himachal with various national agencies from this golden jubilee year.
Earlier, the Governor and the Hon’ble Chief Minister dedicated the Harit VVIP guest house constructed in the campus by spending an amount of Rs 1.13 crore.

Former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar ,H.P. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar, MLAs Mulk Raj Premi and Ravinder Kumar, Chairman Woolfed Trilok Kapoor Chairman MILKFED Nihal Chand Sharma, former MLA Praveen Kumar, Vice Chancellor Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Forestry and Horticulture Nauni Prof. Parwinder Kaushal, CMD SJVNL Nand Lal Sharma, Professors and students of the University and parents of the award winning were present on the occasion among others.