"Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla presides over the 13th Convocation Ceremony, marking a milestone in academic excellence."
Solan, 01 December 2024: The Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Horticulture and Forestry University (UHF), Nauni, Solan, marked a significant milestone today by celebrating its 13th Convocation along with the 40th Foundation Day. The event, held at the university’s Dr. LS Negi Auditorium, was presided over by the Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Alongside him, the Hon’ble Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi was present as the special guest to felicitate the graduates.
A Celebration of Excellence and Achievement
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla commenced the ceremony by awarding 12 gold medals to the top-performing students, with an impressive 8 of these medals being presented to female students, highlighting the growing prominence of women in higher education. He also conferred 119 PhD degrees in Horticulture and Forestry, alongside 816 other undergraduate and postgraduate degrees awarded to students of the university.
In his address, Governor Shukla applauded the contributions of the university and its students towards the development of agriculture and horticulture in the region. He expressed his satisfaction that women were leading the way in these fields, underlining the significant role of daughters in shaping the future of India’s agricultural sector. He stressed that empowering women in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry will lead to positive long-term societal changes.
Recognizing the Legacy of Dr. Y.S. Parmar
Governor Shukla also took the opportunity to reflect on the vision and legacy of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the architect of Himachal Pradesh and the founding figure behind the establishment of the university. He called Dr. Parmar’s contribution to the state immortal and praised the university for carrying forward his mission of fostering education and research in horticulture and forestry.
In his speech, the Governor urged students to focus on research and innovation, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by the farming community. He called on them to use their education and research to make advancements in sustainable farming, provide solutions to farmers, and play a critical role in supporting the state’s agricultural economy, which is heavily reliant on apples and other fruits.
Advancing Natural Farming and Agricultural Innovation
Shiv Pratap Shukla further emphasized the importance of promoting natural farming systems in the state, acknowledging the growing concerns regarding the use of chemical pesticides and their adverse impact on both the environment and public health. He praised the university for its efforts in advancing natural farming, with the central government’s approval of the National Natural Farming Mission providing a strong foundation for chemical-free farming across India.
The Governor also recognized the university’s position in the national rankings, ranking 18th among agricultural universities in India. He encouraged the university to continue its upward trajectory in research and innovation to further its role as a leader in the field of horticultural education.
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Minister Jagat Singh Negi: Strengthening the State’s Horticultural Economy
In his address, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi praised the university for its contribution to the agricultural and horticultural sectors of Himachal Pradesh. He highlighted the significant strides made by the state in adopting advanced technologies for fruit cultivation and the growing importance of the horticulture industry in improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Minister Negi also discussed recent initiatives, including the state’s commitment to adopting universal cartons for apple packing, which has improved marketing opportunities for apple growers. He noted that the government had allocated ₹153 crore to settle liabilities under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and increased the support price for apples, benefiting orchardists across the state.
Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Ambitions
During the convocation ceremony, the Governor and Minister also announced the launch of a new horticulture policy aimed at creating 82,500 employment opportunities for locals through direct and indirect means. This policy aligns with the state’s broader vision to modernize the horticultural sector and support farmer welfare.
Dr. Rajeshwar Chandel, Vice Chancellor of UHF Nauni, expressed gratitude to the state government for its continued support. He highlighted the university’s progress in securing funding for research and development, with over ₹10 crore allocated for 33 new projects in the past year. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of the university’s research in natural farming, which has resulted in the publication of over 400 research papers in national and international journals.
Recognition of Efforts and the Path Forward
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, Registrar of the university. He expressed appreciation for the university’s staff, students, and faculty members for their hard work and dedication in making the institution a hub for excellence in horticulture and forestry education.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including members of the University Senate, Management Board, and Academic Council, as well as senior state officials, faculty members, and students.
As the 13th Convocation and the 40th Foundation Day of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni were celebrated, the spirit of academic achievement and agricultural innovation continues to drive the university’s mission to build a sustainable future for Himachal Pradesh and beyond.
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