The country’s 74th Independence Day was marked by a brief and somber ceremony at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. With the unprecedented conditions created due to the COVID 19 pandemic this year, the usual colour and students’ fervor around the national festival was amiss, even as University officers and a few faculty members paid their respects, while the Chief Guest of the day, Vice Chancellor and Padam Shri Awardee, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, unfurled the national flag. In his address to the faculty, staff and students, Dr Dhillon, while recalling the role played by Punjabis in the freedom struggle, called for a renewed strengthening of resolve to overcome challenges posed by the pandemic. “PAU has played a role in helping the agriculture sector thrive when most other industries are struggling for survival in this sudden calamityl”, Dr Dhillon said as he shared the uneventful harvest of wheat crop due to coordinated efforts of the government and the farmers. “Similarly, the university has been leading from the front in sensitizing farmers about benefits of direct seeded rice, especially due to pandemic related shortage of labour during the paddy sowing period”, shared Dr Dhillon. He further motivated the faculty to continue playing their role towards the much needed exercise of nation building by spreading awareness about the do’s and don’ts to be kept in mind for safety during the ongoing pandemic.
Dr Dhillon congratulated the students for their efforts in scaling up the university ranking, not just as one of the best agricultural universities in the country but also making its way up as the only Indian university among the top ranked world universities by the Web of Science. While dwelling on the increasing role of ICT in national progress, the Vice Chancellor applauded the scientists for their hard work in making the weekly “Facebook Live” programme, a big hit among farmers. He also appreciated the efforts of faculty in their endeavours to streamline the online teaching system and adding more efficiency to it with each passing day. He urged the scientists to lay more stress on innovation and farmer connection in order to get a deeper look into their ‘on- field improvisation’ and thus implement valid suggestions into their research programmes. Dr Dhillon signed off with a reminder to keep striving for water conservation and application of all parameters towards agricultural sustainability.
Earlier, Director Students Welfare, Dr R.K Dhaliwal welcomed the Chief Guest and in her address conveyed best wishes on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence day. As a reminder of the sacrifices of brave hearts in giving freedom from British rule, Dr Dhaliwal exhorted the youth to take up greater responsibility for steering the nation on the path to progress. In view of the grave circumstances caused by COVID 19, Dr Dhaliwal stressed on the need for self as well as community protection by following all the government rules and regulations. She cautioned everyone to steer clear of fake information and rumours circulating on social media with regard to the prevalent viral disease. Dr Dhaliwal, while quoting spiritual guru Osho, said that fear is the worst virus on earth, killing more people than the pandemic itself. “While precaution is the best cure, we must understand that problems are a part of life and dealing positively with them is art of life”, remarked Dr Dhaliwal.
Welfare Officer, Mrs Prabhjot Kaur, later proposed the vote of thanks. |
