Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed the 9th Convocation ceremony of SKUAST Jammu and called on the scientists and experts to focus on smart farming.
In his address, the LG congratulated all the graduating students, and extended his felicitations to the management, faculty, and staff on the completion of 25 glorious years of the university.
According to an official press release, the LG lauded the significant contribution of ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power) to innovation and enhancing productivity and efficiency in the agriculture sector.
He said in areas like climate-smart crops, pest management, biotech solutions, organic farming, the participation of women scientists has made invaluable contributions.
“Agriculture and allied sectors are 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,” the LG said.
At the convocation ceremony, the LG spoke on 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 Shri 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.
“Total transformation at all stages of Beej se Bazar tak- from Seed to Market has been our Mantra in J&K. The resolution of ‘Lab to Land’ has been realised to make the small and marginal farmers self-reliant,” the LG said.
The LG called 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.
On the occasion, LG inaugurated a state-of-the-art Ex-Situ Gene Bank. SKUAST Jammu has become the 3rd institution in the country to have Ex-Situ Gene Bank. This facility 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 LG 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 the Legislative Assembly and Vice Chancellors of various universities were also present at the convocation ceremony.
LG Sinha calls upon youth to lead ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday called upon the young generation to focus on their responsibilities of steering India towards “Viksit Bharat” and said that they are the future of this nation and the engine of its growth.
He firmly believed that the right balance between science and sanskar would provide students with the ability to face the challenges of the future.
“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,” LG said while addressing a function of Medhavi Chhatra Samman Samaroh organised by the Amar Ujala Group here this evening.
“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 governor said.
In his address, Sinha called upon educational institutions and the teaching community to focus on the overall development of the youth, impart life values, encourage new ideas, and promote creativity and independent thinking among 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,” Sinha said.
He urged the Amar Ujala Group to dedicate a special award to recognise 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.
The governor observed that Prime Minister 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 has ensured that 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. True knowledge allows an individual to contribute meaningfully to society and the nation,” he said.
“We must understand that the right education triggers curiosity and creative thinking and inspires students to explore the unknown,” he added.
LG visits GMC Jammu to meet family of deceased SDM
CM reaches Udhampur to condole SSP
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday visited Government Medical College (GMC) hospital here to meet the family of a sub-divisional magistrate who recently lost his life along with his son in a landslide.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah drove from Jammu to Udhampur to express condolences to the district police chief on the passing away of his minor daughter.
Both Sinha and Omar attended the 9th convocation ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu before leaving for GMC Jammu and Udhampur, respectively.
Sinha visited the GMC Jammu and met the injured wife and daughter of the deceased SDM Rajinder Singh Rana who along with his son were killed when their car was struck by a landslide near his native Pattian village in Reasi district on Thursday night, officials said.
The LG extended condolences to the duo and assured them of all possible help from the administration, they said, adding he also directed the hospital authorities to ensure the best possible medical care to them.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary also visited the hospital on Saturday and met the injured family members of Rana including his wife and daughter.
The chief minister, meanwhile, visited the residence of Senior Superintendent of Police, Udhampur Amod Ashok Nagpure and expressed his condolences on the passing away of his four-year-old daughter the previous day.
The office of the chief minister, in a post on X, said Abdullah visited Udhampur to “offer condolences to SSP Udhampur on the tragic and untimely demise of his young daughter. He stood with the bereaved family in this hour of profound grief.”
