“Convocation is not an end, but the beginning of the nation-building process”: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
“Convocation is not an end, but the beginning of the nation-building process”: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
The Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, organised its Third Convocation Ceremony with historic dignity and enthusiasm. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, opened his address as the Chief Guest by raising the slogans “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jhansi Ki Rani Lakshmi Bai Ki Jai.” He personally conferred degrees on 365 students and honoured 15 meritorious students by awarding them gold medals.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Shivraj Chouhan said, “A convocation ceremony is not the end of life, but the beginning of a new chapter of nation-building.” Calling upon the students, he said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is earning global respect, and it is now the responsibility of the youth to bring honour to the nation and their institution through their knowledge, skills and values.
Referring to Guru Dronacharya and the guru-shishya tradition, the Union Minister conveyed a message of integrity and dedication. Quoting inspiring thoughts, he said that students possess limitless potential; what is needed is the determination to set a goal and move forward with firm resolve.
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Chouhan highlighted the country’s food security and said that today India is not dependent on any country for food grains. He attributed this achievement to agricultural scientists and hardworking farmers. Emphasising the concept of a ‘Nutritious India’, he said that along with production, quality and nutrition are equally important.
He informed that the government is working towards making fertiliser subsidy transparent by transferring it directly into farmers’ accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). So far, Farmer IDs have been created for 8.5 crore farmers, with a target of reaching 12 crore. Through the ‘Bharat Extension Platform’, farmers are being provided complete crop-related information on their mobile phones.
Shri Chouhan said that the soil of Bundelkhand has the potential to become the centre of a pulses revolution. He reiterated that the goal of making India a global ‘Food Basket’ will be achieved only when scientists ensure that knowledge travels from laboratories to farmers’ fields. Referring to his personal commitment, he said that he plants one sapling every day and appealed to everyone to plant at least one sapling on their birthday.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. M.L. Jat, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Secretary, DARE, described the university as an institution of national importance that is setting new benchmarks every day. He said that Jhansi is the land of revolution, and now it will become the birthplace of a new agricultural revolution in oilseeds and pulses.
Dr. Jat highlighted the role of intellectual property, innovation and scientific research in building a developed India. He said the university is not merely conferring degrees, but is building human resources that will determine the direction of the agricultural sector in the years to come.
He urged scientists to ensure that the benefits of research reach the last farmer in the queue. Research focused on climate change, natural resource management and value addition must be prioritised. He appealed to students to view agriculture as entrepreneurship and start-up opportunities and to play a leading role in building an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India).
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh welcomed the dignitaries and presented a detailed report on the university’s progress. He stated that the university, which began in 2014 with just five students, has today grown to 1,100 students and continues to progress steadily. He noted that the number of girl students is the highest. He added that, along with imparting education, the university has become a centre for technical advisory services, training and innovation for farmers.
In addition to the Jhansi campus, a College of Fisheries and a College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences have commenced in Datia, and studies at the College of Horticulture in Morena (Madhya Pradesh) will begin soon.
The Vice-Chancellor informed that the university has established several innovations, including a polyhouse, a high-tech nursery, an integrated farming system model, demonstration fields of durum wheat, mustard and gram, and a crop cafeteria.
He read out a pledge for daily plantation and presented it to the Union Agriculture Minister, reaffirming the university’s commitment to developing a ‘Green Campus’.
15 Gold Medals, 365 Degrees Conferred
At the ceremony, degrees were conferred upon a total of 365 students, including 235 undergraduates, 127 postgraduates and 3 Ph.D. scholars. Gold medals were awarded to 8 undergraduate, 7 postgraduate and 3 Ph.D. students for their outstanding academic achievements.
The programme began with the singing of Vande Mataram. The Chief Guest planted a sapling in the university campus and was accorded a Guard of Honour by NCC cadets. Several new buildings, including the Krishi Vigyan Mandap, were also inaugurated.
The Union Agriculture Minister interacted with farmers through a Kisan Chaupal organised in the university fields. He also visited the demonstration plots of mustard and gram cultivation and toured the integrated farming system model.