Solan: The Department of Plant Pathology in collaboration with the Himalayan Phytopathological Society at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, celebrated National Science Day with great enthusiasm under the theme ‘Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat’.
The event was graced by Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, Director of Research, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Manish Sharma, Dean, College of Horticulture, as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Satish Sharma, Head, Department of Plant Pathology, presented a comprehensive report highlighting the department’s ongoing initiatives to foster scientific curiosity and innovation among students.
A key highlight of the celebration was the felicitation of the winners of the postgraduate quiz competition. Dr. Satish Sharma announced the winners, with Sakshi Sharma and Aman Chauhan receiving a cash prize of ₹10,000 in the PhD category, and Gitanjali and Shubham were awarded ₹10,000 each in the Masters category.
The day also marked the culmination of a five-day training program on mushroom cultivation, sponsored by RKVY Himachal Pradesh. The training, coordinated by Dr. Dharmesh Gupta and Dr. Abhimanyu Thakur, saw the participation of 20 farmers from various regions of Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Guest distributed bags of spawn and certificates to the participating farmers, empowering them with practical skills and resources.
In a significant step towards promoting scientific writing and communication, the Department of Plant Pathology’s publishers and e magazine-Technology Notes, released a special Children’s issue. This edition features articles authored by the postgraduate students of the department, showcasing their research and insights.
Dr. Satish Sharma emphasized the department’s commitment to nurturing students and encouraging their active participation in scientific endeavours. Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, the Chief Guest, lauded the department’s efforts and urged farmers to actively engage in the training programs offered by the university. He highlighted the importance of such initiatives in promoting scientific advancements and empowering the agricultural community.
The National Science Day celebration underscored the Department of Plant Pathology’s dedication to fostering scientific excellence and contributing to the nation’s progress through education, research, and outreach. Dr Manish Sharma, Dean, COH, appreciated the efforts of the society for encouraging academic pursuits in the department and congratulated the winners.
Several events are taking place in the university as part of the national science day. The department of Food Science and Technology is organising a two day training for students on Value links, while a partner convening of Northern Region on transformative pathways through Agroecology in collaboration with Consortium for Agro Ecological Transformation of India also began today. ICAR Winter School on Balancing Conservation and Utilization: Towards Sustainable Forestry Practices has also started at the university for the scientists of different universities.
