A total of 65 students comprising 53 students from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and 12 from Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) were presented Merit Scholarships during Dr GS Khush Foundation Scholarship Award Ceremony today at PAU. Dr Manjit Singh Kang, former Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Dr Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU; and Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, presented the scholarships to the students. In addition, Rs 25,000 was provided to the needy students. Dr SS Banga, ICAR-National Professor, was selected for “Dr DS Brar Award” in agriculture.

A world renowned rice breeder Dr GS Khush, while congratulating the scholarship awardees from California via zoom, said: “These awards are recognition of your outstanding performance in academics. You are future leaders of the country and play an important role in the advancement, development and prosperity of the nation.” He expressed his gratitude to former PAU Vice-Chancellors Dr SS Johl, Dr MS Kang and Dr BS Dhillon for their inspiration and guidance; and officials Dr Kuldeep Singh, former Director, School of Agricultural Biotechnology and Secretary of the Foundation; Dr GS Mangat, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement) and Treasurer of the Foundation; and Dr NS Bains, former Director of Research, PAU, for their leadership and assistance. He also paid rich tributes to the Founding Secretary of the Foundation and an outstanding biotechnologist late Dr DS Brar who played a sterling role in agriculture as well as development of the Foundation.

“You have worked diligently and made your family members proud. This is the first step to your future endeavour,” said Mrs Harwant Kaur Khush, Vice-Chairperson of Dr GS Khush Foundation, while extending her best wishes to the awardees from California.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kang said: “I have been connected with this Foundation when it was conceived. I know Dr Khush since 1959; he is a philanthropist, a man known for self-less service to the humanity. He is here to serve the society.” Ever since this Foundation came into being, hundreds and hundreds of students have benefitted from it, he remarked. Stating that “Excellence is to do an ordinary thing in an extraordinary way,” he advised the students to work hard to be on the top in this competitive world.

Dr Inderjeet Singh said: “Dr Khush is a hallmark, emanating from the rural village. A farmer’s son, if educated and becomes a good scientist can serve the humanity and feed half of the world.” Congratulating the award winning rural students, he said that these scholarships were a step in the right direction. “Once you become something and reach the peak, you will never forget Dr GS Khush Foundation,” said Dr Singh to the students.

Dr Dhatt said: “PAU is indebted to Dr Khush for the technical as well as the financial support. Dr Khush is a topmost scientist for rice improvement in the world; half of the world is eating rice developed by Dr Khush, who started his journey from the rural areas of Punjab.” This Merit Scholarship is given to you so that you can learn from him and contribute to the society, he said to the students.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Bains, a member of the Foundation, said that the World Food Prize winner Dr Khush has played a stellar role in the development of more than 300 rice varieties which were being cultivated across the globe.

Later, Dr MIS Gill, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, while proposing a vote of thanks, lauded Dr Khush for providing generous support to the youth.

Dr JS Sandhu, Senior Biotechnologist, conducted the programme. Dr BS Dhillon, former PAU VC and Dr GS Sidhu and Dr RS Tambar, members of the Foundation, also graced the occasion virtually.