Secretary DARE & DG, ICAR laid the foundation stone of Ikshu Hostel and interacted with students of IARI Mega University Lucknow hub at ICAR-IISR, Lucknow

Hon'ble Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education, Govt. of India & Director General, ICAR, New Delhi Dr. Himanshu Pathak visited ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow on April 14, 2024. He laid the foundation stone of Ikshu Hostel at ICAR-IISR, Lucknow. On this auspicious occasion Dr V B Patel, ADG (Fruits and Plantation Crops); Dr. R Viswanathan, Director, ICAR-IISR Lucknow; Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR-CISH, Lucknow; Dr.Uttam K Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow; Dr. A.K. Dubey, Head, ICAR-CSSRI RRS, Lucknow and Dr. A.K. Singh, Academic Coordinator, IARI Lucknow hub & Head, Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow were also present.

An interaction meet of DG, ICAR and students of IARI Lucknow Hub was also organized on this occasion at ICAR-IISR, Lucknow. The programme began with a floral tribute to Bharat Ratna, Dr.Bhim Rao Ambedkar on the occasion of his 133rd birth anniversary. At the outset, Dr. R. Viswanathan, Nodal Director, IARI Mega University Lucknow Hub & Director, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow welcomed Dr. Himanshu Pathak and presented an overview of the academic activities of IARI Lucknow hub.

While addressing the students, faculty and other staff, Dr Himanshu Pathak said that in view of the increasing demand for quality education in the country, students need to obtain better skills and knowledge by using modern facilities available at ICAR institutes. ICAR has taken initiatives to upgrade the IARI, New Delhi as IARI Mega University by creating multiple Hubs at different locations pan India involving ICAR institutes of those locations. He appreciated the efforts taken by IISR and other ICAR institutes located at Lucknow for extending all support to the students to facilitate quality education. He emphasized to the students that there is no short cut to success and sustenance, and perseverance is the key to the success. On this occasion, DG also released the latest issue of Institute’s Rajbhasa Patrika ‘Ikshu’ and a Patent entitled “A Tractor Operated Trash Mulcher-cum-Stubble Shaver Device for Sugarcane Ratoon Crop” which has recently been granted by the Patent Office, Government of India. The programme ended with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. A.K. Singh, Academic Coordinator, IARI Lucknow Hub & Head, Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow.