Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), made a visit on April 14, 2024, to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR) in Lucknow, where he laid the foundation stone for the new Ikshu Hostel. During his interaction with students, faculty, and staff, Dr. Pathak emphasized the importance of quality education in meeting the rising demands within the country's agricultural sector.
Enhancing Education with Modern Facilities
Dr. Pathak highlighted the necessity for students to acquire advanced skills and knowledge by leveraging the modern facilities available at ICAR institutes across India. He particularly lauded the initiatives underway to transform the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, into the IARI Mega University, establishing multiple hubs nationwide involving various ICAR institutes. The Director General commended the efforts of IISR and other ICAR institutes in Lucknow for their support in providing quality education to students.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Pathak motivated students by stressing that there are no shortcuts to success and sustained growth, underlining perseverance as the key to achievement.
In addition to inaugurating the hostel, Dr. Pathak also released the latest edition of the institute's Rajbhasa Patrika 'Ikshu' and unveiled a notable patent titled "A Tractor Operated Trash Mulcher-cum-Stubble Shaver Device for Sugarcane Ratoon Crop."
Accompanying Dr. Pathak were esteemed personalities including Dr. V B Patel, Assistant Director General (Fruits and Plantation Crops); Dr. R Viswanathan, Director of ICAR-IISR Lucknow; Dr. T. Damodaran, Director of ICAR-CISH, Lucknow; Dr. Uttam K Sarkar, Director of ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow; Dr. A.K. Dubey, Head of ICAR-CSSRI RRS, Lucknow; and Dr. A.K. Singh, Academic Coordinator of IARI Lucknow hub & Head of the Division of Agricultural Engineering at ICAR-IISR, Lucknow.
Dr. Viswanathan provided an overview of the academic activities spearheaded by the IARI Lucknow Hub, setting the stage for ongoing advancements in agricultural education and research.
Concluding the event, Dr. Singh extended a vote of thanks, acknowledging the collective efforts and vision shared by all stakeholders in advancing agricultural education and innovation.
