FLASHBACK: Accolades at national and international level mark 2014 year of PAU

Ludhiana, December 16, 2014: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), during the year 2014, saw stellar performances, stupendous achievements and winning of accolades at the national and international level. Besides, research, teaching and extension activities remained at the centre stage in the University.

In addition, the campus remained abuzz with the visits of VVIPs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries inaugurated the national seminar on “Augmenting Processing and Shelf-Life of Perishable Food Products (September 26);” Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister of Punjab inaugurated the national symposium on “Crop Improvement for Inclusive Sustainable Development (November 7-9);” and Jathedar Tota Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture and NRI Affairs, Punjab inaugurated the Kisan Mela at PAU (September 12). Earlier, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Punjab was the chief guest at the annual function of PAU Kisan Club on February 6. Later, Suraiya Naseem Grewal, Member of Provincial Assembly, Punjab (Pakistan) and Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab (India) were the chief guest and the guest of honour, respectively, at the inauguration of “Inter-College Youth Festival 2014-15” on November 3.

ACCOLADES WON BY PAU

Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU was selected for the prestigious "Dr B.P. Pal Memorial Award” by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences for his outstanding contributions to overall agricultural research and development. This is an apex award of the Academy, carrying a citation, a gold medal and a cash prize of Rs 2.00 lakh.

The PAU was declared as the “Centre of Excellence for Seed Production” by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.

A Quinquennial Review Team for the period 2009-2014, constituted by ICAR under the Chairmanship of Padma Bhushan awardee, Dr M. Mahadevappa, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and former Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, highly praised PAU for providing good quality seed not only to the state but the whole country.

The All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) Centre (Rice Pathology) in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics was conferred with the “Certificate of Excellence and Best AICRIP Award for 2013.”

The University was also conferred with the “Best Centre Performance Award for Chickpea 2013-14” by the Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur.

The Department of Entomology was selected as one of the centres under All India Network Project on “Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources” funded by ICAR.

The Department of Fruit Science was selected as one of the centres under “Consortium Research Platform on Borers in Network Mode” funded by ICAR.

The Precision Farming Development Centre, Department of Soil and Water Engineering was awarded “Excellent Display Award” during the 6th International Horti Expo 2014, held at Chandigarh from February 20-22, 2014.

AWARDS & HONOURS WON BY FACULTY

Dr R.S. Sidhu, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities was selected as a member of Expert Committee for Research of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for a period of two years.

Dr H.S Thind, Head, Department of Soil Science, was selected as Fellow of NAAS for his outstanding contribution towards enhancing nutrient and water use efficiency in rice-wheat and cotton-wheat cropping systems.

Dr Surinder Singh Kukal, Professor of Soil Conservation, was selected as Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi for his vital contribution towards developing irrigation water management strategies for rice-wheat system.

Two scientists, Dr Guriqbal Singh, Senior Agronomist (Pulses) and Dr Gulshan Mahajan, Agronomist (Rice) were awarded “ISWS Fellow Award” by the Indian Society of Weed Science (ISWS) for their outstanding contributions to weed management.

Three vegetable scientists, Dr Naveen Garg, Dr D.S. Cheema and Dr Neena Chawla were awarded “Dr Harbhajan Singh Memorial Gold Medal” by the Indian Society of Vegetable Science for the best research paper of the year 2013.

Scientists from PAU; National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology of ICAR, New Delhi; and Delhi University in collaboration with International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium published a research paper in one of the most reputed international journal ‘Science’. Dr Kuldeep Singh, Director, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU was one of the authors while Dr Parveen Chhuneja was the co-author from PAU.

Dr Jasvir Singh Gill, District Extension Specialist (Agronomy) was conferred with the “High Impact Innovation Award for Punjab Agriculture-2014” for the development of Lucky Seed Drill Mounted Automatic Sprayer.

Dr Upkar Singh Sadana, PAU alumnus and former Head, Department of Soil Science, joined as National Consultant (Soil Science) in National Food Security Mission, Ministry of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

Er. Rupinder Pal Singh, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering was awarded a prestigious fully funded Fellowship by Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, The Netherlands.

Dr Anil Sharma, Assistant Director (TV) was conferred with the “Full Bright Alumni Award 2013-14” by the United States India Educational Foundation (USIEF).

Dr Samanpreet Kaur Baweja, Assistant Research Engineer, Department of Soil and Water Engineering, was selected for international training under the Human Resource Development Programme of National Agricultural Innovation Project, ICAR. She attended two-month training programme at Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.

STUDENTS’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN ACADEMICS, YOUTH FESTIVALS & SPORTS

A Ph. D student at School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Palvi Malik bagged Monsanto Beachell-Borlaug International Scholarship for the year 2014. Since 2010, five students from School of Agricultural Biotechnology and Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU have received this scholarship consecutively, thus, creating a world record.

Besides, PAU students created a national record by bagging “ICAR International Fellowships.” As many as five M.Sc/M.Tech pass outs including Sushant Mehan, Avik Mukherjee, Debamalya Chatterjee, Harjeevan Kaur and Prashant Kaushik were awarded “ICAR International Fellowship 2014-15.” Out of five students, three will be going to USA, and one each to U.K. and Spain to pursue their Ph.D. degree programmes.

A Ph.D student, Dr ZA Bhatt won “Jawaharlal Nehru Young Scientist Award 2013” of ICAR.

Another Ph.D student, Babita Mukhija bagged prestigious "Prime Minister's Fellowship for Doctoral Research" in the discipline of Microbiology.

Nancy Garg and Ramandeep Kaur, pursuing Ph.D in the Department of Zoology were honoured with the “Young Scientist Award” of International Union of Biological Sciences.

A Nigerian scientist, Dr M.A. Busari from Federal University of Agriculture, Nigeria was selected for “C.V. Raman International Fellowship for African Researchers” by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi. Dr Busari is working as Post-doctorate Fellow in the field of water management at PAU under the guidance of Dr S. S. Kukal, Professor of Soil Conservation.

Ritu Rani, a Ph. D student in the Department of Plant Pathology was awarded scholarship by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Manila, Philippines.

Harleen Kaur, a B. Tech (Food Technology) student was selected at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

An award ceremony of Dr Gurdev Singh Khush Foundation for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences was held at PAU on February 26, 2014. The Chief Guest, Dr Gurdev Singh Khush, a world renowned rice breeder presented 29 merit scholarships and six travel grants to the students and faculty of the University.

Besides, the PAU students won Gold Medal in group mime, Silver Medal in light vocal solo and Bronze Medal in Indian group song during the 14th All India Inter Agricultural Universities Youth Festival 2013-14, organized by ICAR at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (Karnataka) in February 2014. The PAU team made a hatrick by clinching Gold Medal in group mime.

The University students clinched Bronze Medal in installation event during the 29th All India Inter University National Youth Festival 2013-14, organized by Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi at Kurukshetra University, Haryana from February 18 to 22, 2014.

The College of Agriculture, PAU clinched overall trophy during a week-long “Inter-College Youth Festival,” held in the University from October 30-November 5, 2014.

PAU was declared overall champions at XV All India Inter-Agricultural Sports and Games Meet for the fifth consecutive year. The meet was organized by ICAR at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat from March 24-28, 2014. Kamaljit Singh (Agriculture) from Volleyball team and Amandeeep Singh (Agriculture) from Basketball team were declared best players of the tournament. Japjit Singh (Agricultural Engineering) secured first position in 1500M and second position in 800M. Tejinder Pal Singh (Agriculture) got first position in shot put and discus throw. The PAU relay team got third position in 4 x 100 (M) relay while Pratishtha Verma (Agriculture) got third position in high jump and 100M.

Davinder Singh, an M.Sc student from the College of Agriculture, won Silver Medal in 74 kg weight class during the Punjab State Power Lifting Championship 2014, held at Patiala.

During the Open District Badminton Championship 2014-15 at Ludhiana (August 22-25); Harveen Kaur, an M.Sc student from the College of Home Science got runners – up position in Women’s Mixed Double whereas Puneetinder Singh, a student from the College of Agriculture won Gold in Mixed Double, Silver in Men Double and Bronze Medal in Men Single.

VARIETIES RELEASED

The PAU released many new varieties for general cultivation in Punjab. These include PR 123 of rice, Pusa Punjab Basmati 1509 of basmati, WH 1105 and PBW 660 of wheat, PMH 9 of maize, Co Pb 91 of sugarcane, SL 958 of soybean, FMDH 9 of desi cotton, hybrid PMH 8 of spring maize, Kosi of mentha, PHB 2884 of bajra, PBR 357 of raya, PBG 7 of desi gram, OL 10 of oats and GSC 7 of gobhi sarson.

Tomato variety ‘Punjab Ratta’ and a brinjal hybrid ‘PBHL-52,’ developed by PAU, were found promising and were identified for cultivation in Zone IV of the country comprising Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Trai region of Uttarakhand and Bihar.

RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS

PAU has successfully developed a low cost indigenous greenhouse hydroponics technology (soilless vegetable raising) for higher vegetable yield, and lower water and nutrient consumption. Dr V.P. Sethi, Head, Mechanical Engineering was instrumental in designing and developing this indigenous technology.

An electrostatic nozzle was developed by PAU in collaboration with Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO), Chandigarh and Centre of Excellence for Farm Machinery (CSIR-CMERI Lab), Ludhiana.

Genetically engineered tomatoes, developed by PAU Biotechnologist, Dr Jagdeep S. Sandhu during his post-doctoral research at a US University, have made an important addition to the field of pharmaceuticals. Along with his colleagues, he turned tomatoes into easy-to-administer edible vaccine to protect populations like youngsters and elderly against respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, the casual organism of pneumonia and bronchitis. According to Dr Sandhu, “The idea is basically to use a fruit for delivering an edible human vaccine. The United Nations has put RSV on its list of the top 12 most important viruses to pursue and develop vaccines.”

With the technical guidance of PAU, many agro-processing complexes were established in various villages of Punjab like village Vara Daraka and Bagha Purana of Faridkot, village Kotshamir of Bhatinda, etc.

ACADEMIC COURSES

The number of seats for the undergraduate programmes was enhanced from 443 in 2013-14 to 556 in 2014-15. This year, in order to provide education at the doorstep of rural youth of Punjab, an Institute of Agriculture was established at Bathinda wherein B.Sc Agriculture (Hons.) 6-year programme was offered to the students (after matric). The University is offering B.Sc Agriculture (Hons.) 6-year programme at the Institutes of Agriculture at Gurdaspur and Bathinda with 60 seats each (total 120).

Besides, a new six-month certificate course on “Tissue Culture” for the farmers and the nursery growers was introduced at PAU in July 2014.

APPOINTMENTS & RETIREMENTS

Dr. R. K. Gupta, Director, Central Institute of Post-harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Ludhiana was nominated on the PAU Board of Management.

The term of Hardev Singh Riar as member of PAU Board of Management was extended for another three years.

The University made many new appointments to various key posts. Dr Balwinder Singh was appointed as Director of Research; Dr R.S. Sidhu as Director of Extension Education; Dr Ravinder Kaur Dhaliwal as Director Students’ Welfare; Dr Jaskaran S. Mahal as Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology; Dr J.S. Brar as Director (Seeds); Dr R.S. Singh as Director, Regional Research Station (RRS), Gurdaspur; Dr Paramjit Singh as Director, RRS Bathinda; Dr P.S. Aulakh as Additional Director of Extension Education; Dr Ashok Kumar as Additional Director of Research (Food Science, Nutrition and Engineering); Dr K.S. Thind as Head, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics; Dr H.S. Thind as Head, Department of Soil Science; Dr Sandeep Bains as Head, Department of Apparel and Textile Science; Dr RIS Gill as Head, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources; and Dr Jagdish Kaur as Head, Department of Agricultural Journalism, Languages and Culture.

Besides, Dr Sandeep Kapoor assumed the charge of PAU Comptroller; Dr Chander Mohan of Additional Director Communication; Dr Premjit Singh of Head, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping; and Dr V. P. Sethi of Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Meanwhile, Dr S.S. Gosal, Director of Research; Dr B.S. Sohal, Controller of Examination; Dr Ramesh Kumar, Professor of Floriculture; and Dr P.S. Chahal, Associate Director of Research retired from their services after attaining the age of superannuation.

MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING (MoUs)

PAU inked pact with several national and international institutes and organizations. These include

• Farming Solutions Private Limited, Ludhianafor manufacturing and selling CKD (completely knocked down) kits of poly net house, developed by the University.

• Agrineer Foods Private Limited, Ludhiana, under which the University decided to offer non-exclusive rights to the company to produce and sell the “gluten free atta” based on the formulation developed by University.

• Colorado State University (CSU), USA to promote mutual educational and scholarly interests. The MoU was the extension of the already signed agreement between PAU and CSU in 2009.

• Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla for the production of breeder seed of notified potato varieties, released by CPRI, Shimla.

• College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA to develop strong academic and research interactions.

• Syngenta India Ltd., Pune, one of country’s leading agri-business companies, to support projects on the education of farmers, evolve crop solutions for productivity enhancement, and disseminate farm technologies to the farmers. The agreement was extension of already inked pact between PAU and Syngenta.

KISAN MELAS

Mammoth gathering of farmers thronged the 14 Kisan Melas, organized by PAU Directorate of Extension Education in March and September at Amritsar, Ballowal Saunkhri, Bathinda, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Rauni (Patiala) and Ludhiana. The theme of the March mela was “Belore Rasayanan Uppar Kharch Ghatao, Vatavaran Bachao, Munafa Vadhao (reduce expenditure on the use of unnecessary agro-chemicals, save environment and enhance profit).” Dr G.S. Kalkat, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ Commission, was the chief guest.

The September Kisan Mela focused on the theme “Khalas Sudhre Beej Apnao, Kharcha Katao, Munafa Vadhao (Use Improved Seeds; Reduce Costs and Enhance Profits).” Sh. Suresh Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Development), and Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Punjab was the Guest of Honour. Innovative and progressive farmers from across the Punjab were honoured during these melas.

TRAININGS

The Directorate of Extension Education and various departments of PAU conducted training programmes on crop production; cultivation of kharif crops; cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants; cultivation of tropical mushrooms; beekeeping; weather based agro-advisories; cultivation of horticultural crops; yield enhancement of rabi crops; subsidiary occupations; resource conservation technologies; agro-based industries; operation of farm machinery; biogas plants; home preparations, etc. The trainings were imparted to the farmers, farm women, rural youth, Agricultural Officers, Agricultural Development Officers, Horticultural Development Officers, and extension functionaries.

EMINENT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Delegations from The Netherlands, Canada, USA, Germany, Australia, Liberia, Kenya, Malawi and Pakistan visited PAU to apprise themselves of Punjab agriculture, discuss the scope of collaboration, and have an overview of research, teaching and extension programmes of the University. Besides, delegations of Indian Administrative Service officers (trainees -2013 batch), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT, Mexico) and Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) also visited PAU.

A team of CLAAS India Pvt. Ltd. visited College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, and donated a combine harvester CROP TIGER 30 to PAU for strengthening the lab facilities being established by CLAAS India in the University.

In addition, eminent personalities like Dr Ashok Gulati, Chairman, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi; Jorge Cardenas, Ambassador of Bolivia; Varunesh Tuli, Chairman, Indo-Latin American Political Forum; Dr Stephan M Haefele, Phenotyping Manager, Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, University of Adelaide-Waite Campus, Australia; Dr Gurjeet Gill, Weed Scientist from University of Adelaide; Dr Talwinder Singh Kahlon, a Research Chemist with the Western Regional Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service; Dr M.S. Sidhu, a former research scholar from University of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea; Dr Pradyumn Kumar; Principal Scientist (Entomology), Directorate of Maize Research, IARI, Pusa Campus, New Delhi; and many others delivered their talks at PAU. In addition, Dr K.G. Ragothama, Associate Director, International Programmes in Agriculture, Purdue University, USA and Dr Shiv O. Prasher, Professor, Department of Bioresource Engineering, Mc Gill University, Montreal, Canada also visited the University.

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, MEETS & VISITS ABROAD

Several state and national level workshops, seminars, symposiums, conferences and meets on various aspects of agriculture were organized at PAU. Many University scientists went abroad to attend and participate in trainings, seminars, conferences and to deliberate on potential areas for building partnership.

INFRASTRUCTURE & CLUB

The newly constructed administrative building of Zonal Project Directorate, Zone-1 was inaugurated by Dr Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, and Director General, ICAR on the PAU campus. Besides, International Scientist’s Centre at PAU was established. The College of Home Science established a Consumer Club, a first of its kind in north India.

SPECIAL DAYS, CAMPS, ATHLETIC MEET & FLOWER SHOWS

The University observed and celebrated Dietetics Day, Republic Day, Independence Day, National Nutrition Week, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, World Heart Day, International Women’s Day, World Consumer Rights Week, Van Mahotsav, 86th Foundation Day of ICAR and the Diamond Jubilee of the Department of Atomic Energy, Babha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Safe drinking water campaign, plantation drive, NSS camp, hiking and trekking tour, National Sports Organization camp, and Food and Craft Mela were also organized at PAU. The 48th Annual Athletic Meet of PAU was held on February 19 and 20. Besides, Dr M.S. Randhawa Memorial Flower Show and Competition (March 5-6), and Chrysanthemum Exhibition (December 8-9) attracted visitors in large number.

The PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon extends his best wishes to the agricultural scientists, students, non-teaching employees of PAU and farming community of Punjab for a happy and prosperous 2015.

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