Governor Anandiben Patel on Thursday called upon students at the 14th convocation ceremony of Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University to be committed towards lighting up lives of farmers of the State and the country through their capabilities and skills. The Governor, also the Chancellor of the university, said that the university students must promote entrepreneurship development and cottage industries and help in doubling the income of farmers.
Patel said that ‘shiksha’ and ‘deeksha’ are glorious traditions of Indian culture. Educational institutions not only provide work skills, but also give culture and deeksha to the students so that they are able to utilize the education in their future to fulfill their personal and social responsibilities.
Patel stressed on the need to create interest in the youths towards agriculture. She stressed on the need to connect students of the University with the Prime Minister’s start-up programme so that they are able to set up agriculture based industries. This will not only fetch fair price to the farmers for their produce but they will also not have to go out to sell their produce.
The Governor called upon the students to propagate moral values along with the promotion of agricultural techniques in their lives so that they can play their social life responsibly. He hoped that the students will express their dedication to the knowledge acquired in this university by their full commitment and hard work in their respective fields, which will fulfill the aspirations of millions of farmers of the state.
Patel dedicated national level sports premises and Tarantal constructed at a cost of Rs 3.77 crore. Deputy Director General (Agriculture Education), Indian Council of Agricultural Research Narendra Singh Rathod also addressed the students on the occasion.
Shawl, coconut and memento were presented to former Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Padma Bhushan Rajendra Singh Paroda and Deputy Director General (Agriculture Education), Indian Council of Agricultural Research Narendra Singh Rathod during the convocation ceremony. Patel conferred RS Paroda with the Doctor of Science degree.
The Governor also gave away gold medals and cash prizes to students for their academic achievements in various subjects. PhD degrees were presented in Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering streams. Registrar of the University AK Ingle was also present.