Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare said that “Children must be inculcated with the habit of cleanliness as they are the real torchbearers of the country’s future”. Tomar said this while addressing a gathering on the eve of 150th Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi at Dr. B.P. Pal Auditorium, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus.
Paying his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Minister regarded his principles as the source of inspiration for the society. He briefed about the various invincible and remarkable contributions of Gandhi ji for the upliftment and betterment of different castes and religions and, of course, the country to a larger extent.
He emphasized to adopt social, economic and religious contemplation of Mahatma Gandhi. He did accentuate that various Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Agricultural Universities around the country have already been given the layout to organize various programmes on Mahatma Gandhi. He urged to inculcate the habit of cleanliness in the children as they are the real torchbearers of the country’s future. This will be a real tribute to the Father of the Nation.
The Minister also felicitated the school students and the participants of the various programmes and competitions with the Certificates.
The Guest of Honor, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) outlined about the various programmes organized by the various ICAR Institutes on the occasion of 150th Gandhi Jayanti. Dr. Mohapatra highlighted the various contributions being made by the different ICAR Institutes and KVKs across the country to achieve the target of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”, that is the main ideology of Mahatma Gandhi and, of course, the primary vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
Dr. Mohapatra underlined the various methods like “Waste Water Management Technology through Flowers”, “Waste to Wealth Technology in the Fisheries Sector” and “In-Situ Crop Residue Management Technology”, etc. These technologies have contributed remarkably in controlling the pollution and keeping the environment clean and healthy.
In his welcome address, Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) & Director, ICAR-IARI briefed about the day-long programmes to be organized on the occasion. Dr. Singh also highlighted the plantation of around 1,000 saplings by the Institute to mark its contribution in the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” initiative.
Earlier, ICAR in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries organized the “Walkathon” at the ICAR-IARI ground.
The Director General along with Shri Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI felicitated the winners different age groups of the Walkathon with Certificates.
Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries & Animal Sciences); Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural & Crops Sciences); Dr. Shiv Prasad Kimothi, ADG (Technical Coordination), ICAR along with other Senior Officials of ICAR participated in the event.
