“Not for the Shelf, But for the Soil”: Vice President Urges Grounded, Impactful Research in Solan
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurating the program
Solan, June 7:
Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressing students, scientists, and administrative officials at Asia’s first Horticulture and Forestry University in the Dev Bhoomi of Himachal Pradesh, emphasized the transformative role of youth in shaping a developed India. “You are the architects of a new India,” he said. “You have the ability to journey from agricultural intelligence to artificial intelligence.”
Highlighting the need for innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture, he stated, “A farmer is not merely an ‘annadata’ (provider of food), but a creator of destiny. If farmers themselves engage in marketing and value addition, a rural economic revolution is possible.” He also encouraged the university to train students from rural backgrounds to become “agripreneurs.”
The Vice President stressed that subsidies to farmers should be transferred directly into their accounts, empowering them to choose between chemical and natural farming methods—thus fostering self-reliance.
Commenting on agricultural research, he made a pointed observation: “Research should not be for the shelf but should lead to real change on the ground. Not copy-paste, but authentic—research that touches lives.”
During his address, the Vice President paid homage to Himachal’s valiant heritage and the role of its soldiers in the Kargil War. He also urged the youth to embrace India’s cultural identity and uphold nationalism and indigenous values. “The nation must come first. Economic nationalism is the need of the hour,” he said.
Citing an IMF report, he underlined India’s emergence as a global hub for investment and opportunity, urging young minds to look beyond government jobs and capitalize on the country’s forward-looking policies.
Expressing his deep affection and reverence for Himachal Pradesh, Dhankhar called the state not only a cradle of natural beauty but also a land of spirituality, courage, and knowledge. He paid tribute to three of Himachal’s Padma Shri awardees—Nek Ram Sharma, Vidyanand Saraik, and Hariman Sharma—remarking on the virtues embodied in their names: “Nek Ram—symbolizing both integrity and devotion; Vidyanand—blending wisdom and joy; and Hariman—representing inner strength and spiritual resolve. These are not just names, they are values.”
He further suggested naming the university’s four colleges after Himachal’s first Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Parmar, in recognition of his visionary contribution to the state’s education system, rooted in values and foresight.
Describing Himachal’s natural gifts, the Vice President poetically observed, “This land is a divine creation—where the air holds dew, the water holds life, and the soil pulses with energy. Here, nights offer peace, sleep comes easy, and even blood pressure stays normal.”
Calling Himachal a “global trademark of spirituality,” he said the state offers inspiration for the well-being of all humanity. Recalling the Kargil War, he noted with pride, “When Pakistan was forced to bite the bullet, it was the brave sons of Himachal who made the supreme sacrifice. Himachal has received the highest number of military honors in proportion to its population—a fact of immense pride.”
The Vice President’s speech was more than a formal address—it was a heartfelt tribute to the soul of Himachal, where names carry meaning, the soil speaks of sacrifice, and the air breathes life.
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