Independence Day Celebration at Punjab Agricultural University

Independence Day was celebrated with great fervour at Punjab Agricultural University on August 15, 2013.

Previous day’s heavy rainfall didn’t affect much the spirit of celebrating the day. A large number of faculty, staff, and students participated in the celebrations. PAU Vice Chancellor, Dr. Baldev Singh Dhillon unfurled the tricolour and inspected the parade by the NCC cadets.

In his address, Dr. Dhillon paid tributes to the National martyrs and freedom fighters who made great sacrifices to make India an independent sovereign state. He recalled the words of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India that political independence had no meaning without economic independence. Dr. Dhillon lauded the role of PAU in contributing towards economic (food and livelihood) security of the nation. He said that our country has made great progress since Independence. From a food deficit and food grain importing state in sixties, India has become a food surplus nation, today, adding that PAU and Punjab farmers have made great contributions in this regard. He pointed out that over the years new challenges in agriculture have emerged. Rising cost of inputs has lowered farmers’ profit. Over exploitation of natural resources and climate change are threatening the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. We must work hard to meet these challenges, he said. “Maintaining food and nutritional security is of utmost importance for peace and prosperity of the country”, he remarked.

The VC of Punjab Agricultural University also showed concern about the health of the youth and urged them to take utmost care for that, adding that the youth is the future of the country.

Earlier, Dr. Balwinder Singh, Director Students Welfare welcomed the Chief Guest, officers of the University, faculty, staff and others. The celebrations concluded with the distribution of sweets.

Colleges affiliated to Punjab Agricultural University

Source: Gurjot Kaur, click4college Specialist