‘Right Science-Sanskar balance to able students face challenges’
Jammu, Aug 04: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday urged young scientists and experts to champion smart farming, emphasizing a complete transformation across all stages, from seed to market, as the Union Territory’s guiding principle.
Speaking at the 9th Convocation of SKUAST-Jammu, Sinha praised the vital role of ‘Nari Shakti’ in boosting innovation, productivity, and efficiency in agriculture.
He highlighted women scientists’ contributions in areas like climate-smart crops, pest management, biotech solutions, and organic farming.
Congratulating the graduating students, Sinha also commended the university’s management, faculty, and staff for 25 years of excellence.
In areas like climate smart crops, pest management, biotech solutions, organic farming, the participation of women scientists has made invaluable contribution, he said.
“Agriculture and Allied Sector is witnessing women-led development. I am extremely proud that out of eight gold medalists in post-graduate and graduate students, seven are our daughters. Out of 35 Certificates of Merit in PhD and Post-Graduate, 32 Merit Certificates were awarded to our daughters. It is a symbol of the rising influence of Nari Shakti in Agriculture and allied sectors and I believe they will be driving innovation for sustainable agriculture and enhancing farmers’ income,” he said.
He highlighted the need for a stronger innovation and modern technology ecosystem for sustainable agricultural practices to prioritize farmer incomes, risk mitigation and strengthening farmer-industry linkages.
“Farmer welfare is the top priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi…the positive impact of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project in J-K (JKCIP) on farmers’ income is now visible,” he said.
He said total transformation at all stages of ‘Beej se Bazar tak’ has been our mantra of J-K. “The resolution of Lab to Land has been realised to make the small and marginal farmers self-reliant.”
Calling upon the new generation of scientists and experts to focus on smart farming, he said the revolution in seed production, pest management, food processing, farm mechanization has ensured opportunities for the young professional to contribute in product development and quality control.
The Lt Governor, meanwhile, inaugurated a state-of-the-art Ex-Situ Gene Bank which will preserve genetic resources such as seeds, plant tissue, animal germplasm outside their natural habitat and will prove to be an invaluable resource for breeding and research programmes.
The SKUAST Jammu has become the third institution in the country to have Ex-Situ Gene Bank.
The Lt Governor also laid the foundation stone for a 200-bedded farmers’ hostel and a faculty building with common academic facilities.
During the convocation, 446 degrees were awarded including 157 Masters, 46 Doctorates, and 243 Undergraduate degrees. Eight Gold Medals were also conferred to meritorious students.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah; Minister for Agriculture Production, Javid Ahmad Dar; Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production, Shailendra Kumar; Dr. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Jammu; members of Board of Management and University Council, faculty members and students were present.
Members of Legislative Assembly and Vice Chancellors of various universities were also present at the convocation ceremony.
Later in the day, the LG addressed the Medhavi Chhatra Samman Samaroh organised by Amar Ujala Group at Convention Centre Jammu.
LG Sinha felicitated the meritorious students of class 10th and 12th from JKBOSE. He congratulated and extended his best wishes to all the students.
“It is inspiring to see the soaring spirit of our young generation and equally firm resolve for nation building. The adventurous pursuit of our students will ensure a bright future for the nation and humanity.” the Lieutenant Governor said.
In his address, LG Sinha called upon the educational institutions and teaching community to focus on the overall development of the youth, impart life values, encourage new ideas, promote creativity and independent thinking among the students while ensuring they have access to global standards of education.
“I firmly believe that the right balance of science and sanskar will provide students with the ability to face the challenges of the future. To fully exploit the potential of India’s growing economic power, school education must focus on developing scientific temper and curiosity among students,” the LG Sinha said.
He urged the Amar Ujala Group to dedicate a special award to recognize and honour students for unique innovations and research. The unique ideas, original and distinct essays and research papers of the students which reflect their individual personality and critical thinking should be honoured and celebrated, he added.
LG Sinha observed that the PM Narendra Modi has gifted the National Education Policy to the nation’s education system, which has empowered the young generation.
He underscored that the education policy’s emphasis on value-based education, have ensured that the young students not only gain knowledge but also develop a moral and ethical foundation to become responsible citizens.
“True Knowledge is transformative. It changes the life of the seeker. It fosters new innovations, discoveries, and research while instilling core values like integrity, patience, and honesty. The true Knowledge allows an individual to contribute meaningfully to society and the nation.
We must understand that the right education triggers curiosity and creative thinking and inspires students to explore the unknown.
It should be our prime responsibility to nurture future-oriented talent and create a conducive environment where the students acquire knowledge and education in their truest forms,” he said.
LG Sinha also called upon the youth to find their inner voice and achieve excellence in life.
“You are the future of this nation and the engine of its growth. The responsibility for steering India towards a Viksit Bharat lies on your shoulders,” he further said.
Advisor, Amar Ujala Group, Uday Sinha; Executive Editor, Amar Ujala Group, Dr. Indu Shekhar Pancholi, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, Dr KS Chandrasekar; Principal Secretary, School Education, RN Sharma; Editors and members of Amar Ujala Group; teachers, students and their parents were present.
