PAU Gives Warm Send Off To Dr J.S Sandhu, Senior Pulse Breeder
Author(s): City Air NewsA photograph related to warm send off being given to Dr J.S Sandhu, Senior Pulse Breeder at PAU, Ludhiana on Thursday. Ludhiana, July 30, 2015: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) gave a warm send off to its...
Ludhiana, July 30, 2015: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) gave a warm send off to its Senior Pulse Breeder, Dr J.S. Sandhu on his superannuation today. Dr Sandhu is presently serving as Deputy Director General (Crop Science), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. A farewell function was organized on the University campus wherein senior officials of PAU, faculty and students of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG) participated and extended their best wishes to Dr Sandhu for his post-retirement life.
Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, while sharing his reminiscences, said, “PAU is proud of Dr Sandhu for serving at the top positions of ICAR. He has made remarkable contributions to agriculture during is 30 years of service.” Later, he presented a memento to Dr Sandhu.
Earlier, Dr R.S. Sidhu, officiating Registrar and Director of Extension Education, described Dr Sandhu a sober, down to earth and good human being. He congratulated Dr Sandhu for his astounding career.
Highlighting the achievements of Dr Sandhu, Dr R.K. Gumber, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement), PAU said, ‘Dr Sandhu started his career as a Research Fellow in Pulses Section, PAU in 1985. He served at PAU in various capacities such as Assistant Plant Breeder, Pulse Breeder, and Incharge of Pulses section.” Besides, Dr Sandhu has been instrumental in developing 22 varieties of different pulse crops including 10 of chickpea, five of mungbean, two of pigeonpea, four of urdbean and one of soybean, he added. “His commendable work on inter-specific hybridization in chickpea and Vigna has been widely recognized,” he said. Elaborating, Dr Gumber highlighted, “In March 2010, Dr Sandhu joined as Assistant Director General (Seeds), ICAR. In March 2013, he joined as Agriculture Commissioner in Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi.” “He has played a vital role in drafting germplasm exchange guidelines and has efficiently carried forward three mega programmes including National Food Security Mission, Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India and Crop Diversification,” said Dr Gumber. Besides, he is a recipient of prestigious awards and honours. He was also awarded a Fellowship by National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) in 2013, he said.
Dr K.S. Thind, Head, PBG, also lauded the achievements of Dr Sandhu.
Dr Sandhu, while expressing his gratitude to his colleagues, shared his sweet memories. He stated, “Working with distinction is your respective field is of prime importance.”
Date:
Thursday, July 30, 2015