Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 4: A two- day national seminar on ‘Plant and Microbial Sciences: Achievements and Way Forward’ under the aegis of UGC-SAP DRS II program sanctioned to the Department of Botany and funded by DST (SERB) and DBT, GoI, began today at the University of Jammu.
On the occasion, Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology, Palampur, was the chief guest while Prof Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs, JU, was the guest of honour and Prof Absar Ahmed, a renowned nano-technologist from Aligarh Muslim University was the special guest.
Presenting keynote address, Dr Sanjay Kumar stressed the need for bio-prospection of plant and microbial resources of Himalayan region for boosting bio-economy. He emphasized on the tapping of the microbe and plant resources of Himalaya and understanding their physiology for the economic upliftment of the farmers of the country.
Prof Naresh Padha spoke on the relevance of the seminar topic in the current scenario and elaborated on the importance of such congregations in the academic setups.
Earlier, Prof Veenu Kaul, Head of the Department, said that this is the 5th consecutive seminar under SAP (DRS-II) being organized by Department of Botany, wherein the delegates from across the country and invited speakers from ICGEB, New Delhi; BSI, Kolkata; Aligarh Muslim University; CSIR-IIIM and University of Jammu are participating.
Prof Namrata Sharma, Deputy Coordinator of SAP (DRS -II), introduced the details of the Special Assistance Programme to the delegates. She appraised the audience, about the various research activities carried out on the specific areas of Himalayan importance and infrastructural development with respect to modernization of labs in the department. And for this, she added, the Department has got the fund to the tune of Rs 84.50 lacs.
During the inaugural function, four superannuated Professors of the Department of Botany, Prof V K Anand, Prof A K Wakhlu, Prof Geeta Sumbali and Prof Rani Mangotra were also honored with Life Time Achievement Awards by the Botanical Club of the Department of Botany, JU.
The Department also made Prof I A Hamal Memorial Lecture an integral part of this seminar. Prof Absar Ahmed of Aligarh Muslim University, special guest in this seminar delivered this lecture.
Prof Susheel Verma, Organizing Secretary of the seminar presented vote of thanks and Dr Skarma Nonzum conducted proceedings of the function.