The 54" Convocation of Post- Graduate School of the university was held on 5 Feb. 2016. H.E. Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India, was the chief guest. Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, presided over the function. Dr S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE & Director-General ICAR- Dr V L. Chopra, former ";ember,' Plannig Commission; and Dr R.S. Paroda, Chairman, TAAS& former Direclor General, ICAR, also graced the occasion. Shri Pranab Mukhe~ee, presented the medals and awards to the students and faculty. In the convocation address, he emphasized that the globalization of agriculture has increased the prospects for processed food commodities manifold.The critical issuesthat hinderthe development of rural agri-businesses need to be addressed. Proliferation of the recently launched,'Start-up India'tothe ruralsector could providefillip to the setting up of agro-based enterprises. The "Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav" programmeof the IARI,underwhich each scientistwill adopt a Village,should aim atchanging agriCUlture from subsistence farming tocommercialfarming.

Dr T. Mohapatra, Director, presented his report on the significant research achievements of the institute during 2015. Shri Radha Mohan Singh, released 15 IARIvarieties of differentcrops. Duringthis convocation 242 candidates (120 M.Sc., 7 M.Tech. and 115 Ph.D.) were awarded degrees, including 16 (11 M.Sc. and 5 Ph.D.) Internallonalstudents. MsSupria Priyadarsani, M.Tech.,Post-harvest Technology; and Ms. Saritha M., Ph.D., Microbiology were awarded the 'BestStudentoftheYearAwards'.

Five students each in M.Sc. and Ph.D. received IARI Merit Medals. Five faculty members of the institute, viz., Dr DR Biswas (Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry), Dr Man Singh (Water Science and Technology), Dr A. Talukdar (Genetics), Dr V.K. Sehgal (Agricultural Physics), and Dr Dinesh Kumar (Agronomy) received 'Best Teacher Award -2015' fortheirachievements inacademics. The XVI Dr B.P. Pal Medal for the year 2015 was awarded to Dr G.P. Singh, Principal Scientist, Division of Genetics, IARI, New Delhi, for his outstanding research contributions on Wheat Breading and Genetics. The XVI Hari Krishna Shastri Memorial Award for the year 2015 was awarded 10 Dr Tirtha Kumar Dalla, Principal Scientist, Animal Biotechnology Centre, NDRI, Kamal, for his outstanding research contribution in the area of Animal Biotechnology; and the XIX Sukumar Basu Memorial Award for biennium 2013-14 was awarded to Dr R.Asoken, Principal Scientist, IIHR, Bengaluru, for his outstanding research contributions on Development of Pioneering MolecularTechniquesfor Pest Management.

The 46th Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr Soumya Swaminathan, DirectorGeneral, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, on 4 Feb. 2016 on the topic 'Nutrition and health challenges for India and possible solutions'. Dr R.S. Paroda, Chainman,Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi,presided over the function.

The 12th Annual convocation of the university was held on 5 Feb. 2016 at sports complex of the university. H.E. Shri O.P. Kohli, Governor of Gujarat & Chancellor, presided over the convocation function. Shri Tapan Misra, Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad, was the chief guest, who inspired the young graduates and post-graduates. Shri Chhatrasinh Mori, Minister of State, Food & Civil Supplies Consumer Affairs, was the guest of honor, who delivered the convocation address. Total 495 degrees were conferred to the students, in which 301 graduates and 194 post-graduate who had completed their studies and passed their examination from various faculties received their degrees. Total 20 gold medals, 52 medals and 13 prizes were awarded to these achievers.

H.E. Shri O.P. Kohli, Governor of Gujrat, inaugurated new building of Department of Agricultural Microbiology, on 5 Feb. 2016. It has advanced facility of central laboratory of excellence with bioreactors of 1,200 litres capacity for bio-fertilizer production and automatic bottling plant. This infrastructure will facilitate bio¬ diversity studies of different agriculturally beneficial micro-organisms and mass multiplication of bio fertilizers to augment the NPK requirement of crops, reduce the cost of cultivation, sustain soil fertility and increase the yield for the ultimate benefit of the farming community.

An awareness and training programme on Protection of Plant I Varieties and Farmers Right Act ' (PPV & FRA) was organized at village Bahri in Dharampur block of district Mandi on 23 Mar. 2016 by KVK, Mandi. Dr K.K. Katoch, VC, shared that the farmers are the main source of seed supply in the country and abOUt 87 percent Of the Seed requirement of the country was being met by the them. To safeguard the interest of farmers the government introduced this act. He laid emphasis on conservation of the local crop varieties for the food security of the nation.Shri Chandershekhar, Vice-Chairman, H.P. State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Ltd, while presiding over the function, asked the farmers to seek guidance from the scientists to raise good crops to raise their economic status. Dr P.K. Mehta, Director of Extension Education, advised the farmers to maintain a strong linkage with the university and itsKVKs.

Two days training programme for the farmers of the Salooni area, Chamba district, was organized jointly by Regional Research Substation of the university and Agricultural Technology ManagementAgency, Chamba, during 13-14 Feb. 2016. Smt. Asha Kumari, former Minister and local MLA, the chief guest, asked the farming community to use modern scientific technology to increase theirfarm production and increase the income. While presiding over the function, Dr K.K. Katoch, VC, said that Chamba district has lot of potential due to the presence of varied agroclimatic zones. As the farming community was using very low dose of fertilizers and chemicals, they were contributing to the society by producing safe food. He advocated protected cultivation, water conservation and protection of plant varieties.

The School of Public Health and zoonoses organized a program on 19 Feb. 2016 International school on one health: a team science approach for protection of animal, human and environmental health" with integrated view on infectious diseases, food safety and zoonoses.

Dr A.S. Nanda, VC, laid stress on such collaborations among medical professionals, veterinarians, environmentalists and biologists for achieving the goal of One Health for efficient control of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases. Dr Ashok Kumar, ADG (Animal Health), ICAR, was the guest of honour who complimented the efforts put in by School of Public Health and Zoonoses, towards One Health through its collaborations with various international universities in Canada, Berlin, the UK and Australia.

A delegation comprising eight members from Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh, visited the university on 20 Jan. 2016 under the leadership of Mr Kazi Wasiuddin, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Government of Bangladesh. Their aim was to study farm success achieved through private and public sector support. The officials of Bangladesh included Mr Khan Shahidul Huque, Mr Ashim Kumar Bala, Mr Mohammad Moktar Hossain, Mr Mirza Mohammad Ali Reza, Mr H.M. Moniruzzaman, Mr SardarAmanullah, Mr Bipine Chandra Biswas and Dr R.C. Upadhyay, consultant, were part of the delegation.

A three-day national conference on Hill Agriculture in Perspective was organized by Directorate of Experiment Station, during 26¬ 28 Feb. 2016. H.E. Dr K.K. Paul, Governor of Uttarakhand, inaugurated the conference and Dr Mangala Rai, VC, presided overthe inaugural session. The themes chosen for the seminar included Marketing and trade, Temperate fruits, Vegetables and flowers, Livestock improvement, Drudgery reduction, Processing and value addition, Soil and water conservation, and Improvement of potential crops. The researchable and policy guidelines as well as recommendations from the conference and experts of the field will be sent to the Government for policy formulation. A galaxy of scientists including the VC, CAU, Imphal; Director, IVRI, Izatnagar; and Director, VPKAS, Almora, discussed the issues existing in agriculture and livestock production in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, North-Eastern Hills region and Uttarakhand hills.

Twelve on farm demonstrations on Dairying and Milk Processing were organized by College of Dairy Technology, Warud (Pusad) for the farmers and milk producers of 12 villages with high milk production in the nearby region of Pusad (Yavatmal District) during 16-27 Mar. 2016, in association with ATMA, Yavatmal. Total 516 farmers of 12 villages attended. The demonstration of platform test for quality control, separation of fat using cream separator and paneer making at cottage level were shown to the farmers.

M/S Sakal Agrowon & Delivering Change Foundation initiated a Smart Village programme which aims to develop Agri- Centric villages. In this connection, experts, Dr Ziv Matalon and Dr Ophir Levy from Israel, who have experience in developing agriculture and allied business projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, visited Bombay Veterinary College on 13 Jan. 2016 to meet the veterinarians specialized in cows, goats and poultry, insemination technician and agriculture extension specialist.

The university signed MoU with M/S Andreas Stihl Pvt. Ltd., on 11 Jan. 2015. The Stihl manufacturer a wide range of power-driven, hand-held tools worldwide. The products made and marketed by Stihl include chain-saws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, mist blowers, high-pressure cleaners and a number of t accessories to perform various farm operations, thereby reducing effort and increasing efficiency.

As a part of MoU, display centre of Stihl products was established at farm machinery testing laboratory, DrA.S. CAE, MPKV, Rahuri. Under Andreas Stihl scholarship programme, Andreas Stihl Pvt. Ltd. provided financial assistance in the form of scholarship of Rs 5000/- per month for 4 years B.Tech. (Agri. Engng.) students and Rs 7500/- per month for 2 years to M.Tech. (Agri. Engng.) students. M/S Stihl will also arrange 3-4 days training programme for scientists and technicians of the university on selection, operation, repair and maintenance of powertools.

Dr Kokate, Director, Extension Education, was the chairman at the inaugural function of Display Centre of STIHL Products. Other university officials, faculty members and students were also present. Dr. Kokate, in his presidential address stressed the need for collaboration of university and industry for upliftment of the farmers' community.

Utkarsha-2015-16

The fifth convocation of the university was organized on 27 Jan. 2016. Total 19 UHS 38 Donors gold medals were awarded to the eligible graduate and post graduate students. Further 386 B.Sc.(Hort), 87 14 Ph.D.(Hort-) degrees were also confirmed to the eligible s t u d e n t s . Dr S h a m a n ur Shivashankarappa, Minister for Horticulture Agro-marketing and Pro- Chancellor, presided over the function. DrAshok Dalwai, (IAS) Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, was the chief guest. He delivered the convocation address. Dr D.L. Maheshwar, VC, Members of Board of Management; Members of Academic Council, staff and students were presentduring the convocation.

Shri Harish Rawat, chief minister, Uttarakhand, laid the foundation stone of College of Veterinary Sciences at village Gahad, (district Pauri Garhwal), on 2 Mar. 2016. He also laid foundation stone of College of Veterinary Sciences at Ratanpur, (district Rudraprayag), in the presence of Dr Harak Singh Rawat, Agriculture Minister. Shri Harish Rawat, informed that the college would help the fanners of the region who are presently facing acute shortage of veterinary services. Prof Mathew Prasad, VC, emphasized that animal husbandry is crucial in augmenting the income of farmers in the hills, particularly be cause most of the holdings are small or marginal.

The university scientists contributed planting material of several strains of various medicinal plants at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources. The planting material and seeds contributed includes those of Digitalis lanata (tilpushpi), Digitalis purpurea (neeli tilpushpi), Hedychium spicatum (kapoor kachri), Rheum emodi (rhuburb arena), Picromiza kurrooa (kutki), Valeriana jatamansi (tagar) and Withania somnifera (ashwagandha). UIN is also being obtained for it.

The Institute of Engineers (India) conferred Eminent Engineer award for 2015-16 to Dr D.C. Joshi, Dean, College of FPTBE, in recognition of his contribution in the profession of agricultural engineering in the country. Shri Mohanbhai Kundariya, Minister of State, presented him the plaque during NCAE-2016on Feb. 2016 at the university.

FISVPT award to Dr A.M. Thaker

Dr B.K. Sarmah, Director, DBT-AAU Centre & Professor, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, was awarded the ICAR Norman Borlaug Chair in International Agriculture on 1 Mar. 2016.

It was given for the project: "Development of cisgenic chickpeas resistant to pod borers. The project is for five years, which can be extendable by another 5 years if considered necessary by the committee.

Dr L.D. Singla, Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, was honoured with Smt Nisha Mani Parija Oration Award -2014 by Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology in recognition of his valuable contributions and achievements in the field of parasitic zoonoses. The award was presented to him at the 25th National Congress of Veterinary Parasitology and National Symposium on 'One health approach - plausible solution for sustainable parasite control' held during 17-19 Feb. 2016 at TNVASU, Chennai.

The Inter-University Research Convention, Avishkar 2015 was organized at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune during 10-12 January, 2016. Total 10 students from the university participated in the event. Mr. Atul Shivaji Walunj, student of fourth year of B.V.Sc. & A.H. from Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai won the first prize in Humanities, Languages and Fine Arts theme (U.G.) category. His project title was 'Conservation of dead natural resources using innovative bio-fine art technique: taxidermy'. Dr S.A. Gaikwad, Professor & Head, Department of Anatomy was the mentor for this project.

Dr S.M. Wankhede, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Nutrition, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Akola, received the outstanding research paper award on Effect of Emblica officinalis (Amla) and vitamin E addition in diet on growth performance of broiler chicken reared under nutritional stress. The team members were A.S. Patil, S.M. Wankhede and V.R. Kale. It was published in Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2014. It was selected for Animal Nutrition Society of India's Outstanding Research Paper Award for the year 2014-15. Dr S.M. Wankhede received the award in the 16th Biennial Animal Nutrition Conference held at NDRI, Karnal, during 6-8 Feb.2016.

Ms Rajpreet Kaur Goraya, Ph.D. student, Department of Food Science & Technology, was awarded Prime Minister's Fellowship for Doctoral Research. Ms. Goraya, is amongst the 12 candidates declared successful by Confederation of Indian Industry. Ms Goraya would be partnering with Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation Ltd who will provide 50 percent of the fellowship as the sponsoring industry, and the balance 50 percent will be given by the government. The Prime Minister's Fellowship Scheme is a Public-Private- Partnership initiative for bringing the academia and the industry on one platform for industrial R&D.

Ms Mitaly Bansal, Ph.D. student, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, was awarded Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum (WIT) Early Career Award, for her excellent research achievements. Ms. Bansal is carrying out her Ph.D. with Dr Parveen Chhuneja, Senior Molecular Geneticist, SAB, as her major advisor. At John Innes Centre, the U.K. with an International Fellowship under the supervision of Dr Cristobal Uauy, the topic of her doctoral research is : 'Rust disease in wheat'. The recipients of the Jeanie Borlaug Laube WIT award are invited to Annual Borlaug Global Rust Initiative Technical Workshop and at a training programme at CIMMYT in Obregon, Mexico.

Dr P. Bhattacharya Memorial Award (2009-2010), from NAAS, New Delhi; Rafi Ahmad Kindwai Award (2008), ICAR, New Delhi; Prof. Vyas Memorial Award (2008), Association of Microbiologist of India, New Delhi; Dr. Richard Masillamony Oration Award (2008), Indian Society for Veterinary Immunology and Biotechnology, Chennai; Dr C.V. Canan Memorial Award (2008), Indian Association of Veterinary Anatomists; J.B. Bhatt Memorial Award (in 2005 and 2006); Best Research Paper Award, Association of Microbiologists of India, New Delhi. Two patents were also granted in his name: Patent No. 261631, July 2014 granted to Prasad, G, Singh H. & Minakshi (2014). "Development of novel set of primer pair to detect the presence of buffalo tissue". Patent No. 261685, July 2014, granted to Prasad, G, Singh H. & Minakshi (2014). "Development of novel set of primer pair to detect the presence of cattle tissue". He was Fellow of National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (2002); Association of Microbiologists of India (2004); National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2008); Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Research (2012); and Indian Virological Society (2013). He published more than 200 works research papers, book chapters, review articles, popular science articles, books, national reports, etc.

Prof. Purnendu Biswas joined as VC, WBUAFS, r Kolkata on 11 Feb. 2016. He was Professor in Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, and officiated as VC since 6 Aug. 2014. He has teaching experience of more than 29 years in the university and at BCKV, Mohanpur. He published 33 papers in national and 6 in international research journals. Prof. Biswas was honoured with Dr S.P. Arora, Best Research Paper award by Animal Nutrition Society of India in 2007 at Bengaluru. He was also decorated with Life-Time Achievement Award for his outstanding activities by CLFMA in 2015. Prof. Biswas was also engaged in the extension & research works like improvement of livelihood through livestock farming by the poor and tribal women. He successfully developed Mineral Deficiency Maps and thereafter developed Area-specific mineral supplements for livestock under the name UAFSMIN-P, which is a commercial product from WBUAFS, Kolkata.

Dr Ramesh Chandra Srivastava took over the charge of VC on 22 Jan. 2016. Born on 1 Jul. 1956 atAllahabad, he did B.Sc. (Agricultural Engineering) from Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Allahabad; and M.Sc. and Ph.D in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering during year 1978 and 1993, respectively from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

During his service career of 39 years in Indian Council of Agricultural Research, he held positions, viz. Principal Scientist and Programme Leader (2011 onward), Director, CARI, Port Blair (2006 - 2011), . Principal Scientist and Programme Leader (1998- 2006), Senior Scientist (1983-1998) and Scientist (1978-1983).Dr Srivastava is a - Fellow National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; recipient of Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award (2003-04); Vasant Rao Naik Award (2001 and 2006), Rajendra Prasad Puruskar (2009 and 2010); He is also Fellow Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers; Fellow, Institution of Engineers, Fellow, Indian Association of Soil and Water Conservationists; recipient of Commendation Medal of ISAE, ASPEE Award of ISAE; Fellow, Confederation of Horticulture Association of India.

Dr Srivastava published 142 research papers in research journals, 27 invited papers in international and national conferences, 205 papers presented in conferences/ symposiums/ seminars, 16 books published on different subjects, 43 book chapters, 33 training manuals and 14 reports/ reviews