Dr. Prem Nath receiving His Excellency Dr. Hans Raj Bhardwaj in the convention hall

The Ceremony for the release of Volume-II: Food and Volume-III: Agriculture of the publication series, The Basics of Human Civilization - Food, Agriculture and Humanity prepared by PNASF and published by New India Publishing Agency (NIPA) and Scientific Publishers (India) was organized successfully on April 19, 2014 at Raj Bhawan, Bangalore. His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka, Dr. Hans Raj Bhardwaj, Chief Guest of the ceremony released the books and Hon. Shri T.B. Jayachandra, Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights; Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation; and Animal Husbandry, Government of Karnataka and Hon. Shri M.V. Rajasekharan, former Minister of State for Planning, Government of India, New Delhi graced the function as Guests of Honour.
 

Book Release Ceremony hosted by PNASF Board of Trustee, Ms. Shyamla Nath

The lead scientists of agriculture/horticulture universities and research institutes and senior Government officials of Karnataka were the invitees. The special invitees were Dr. P. V. Shenoi, former Special Secretary, Government of India; Dr. G. K. Veeresh, former Vice Chancellor, UAS, Bangalore; Dr. P.G. Chengappa, former Vice Chancellor, UAS, Bangalore; Dr. R. Dwarakinath, Chairman, AME Foundation, Bangalore; Dr. S. Bisalaiah, former Vice Chancellor UAS, Bangalore; Dr. M. Mahadevappa, former Chairman, ASRB and former Vice Chancellor UAS, Dharwad; Prof. R.S. Deshpande, former Director, ISEC, Bangalore; Mr. N.S. Megharik (IPS), Karnataka; Dr. K.P. Vasanth Shetty, Director, Indo-American Hybrid Seeds(India), Bangalore; Mr. V. K. Abraham, Director, Institute of Plantation & Horticulture Management, Bangalore; Dr. C.P.A. Iyer, former Director, Central Institute Horticulture, Lucknow; Dr. P. Parvatha Reddy, former Director, IIHR, Bangalore; Dr. N. B. Gaddagimath, M/s Sarpan Agri Horticultural Research Centre, Dharwad; Dr. R.B. Gaddagimath, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga; Dr. M. Seenappa, Former UNICEF Official, and other dignitaries.
 

Audience during the Book Release Ceremony Function

 

Welcoming Guests by PNASF, Dr. K.R.M. Swamy

On behalf of the PNASF, Dr. K.R.M. Swamy welcomed the Chief Guest, Guests of Honor and all invitees.
 

Keynote Address by Chairman, PNASF, Dr. Prem Nath

In his Keynote address, Dr. Prem Nath welcomed the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour on the dais, the dignitaries and all invitees in the audience, explained the mission, objectives and contents of the two Volumes of the book. Further, he duly acknowledged the contribution of authors, editors and reviewers in fulfilling the mission of these publications. The details of his statement appear at the end of this message.
 

His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka, Dr. Hans Raj Bhardwaj delivering Chief Guest Speech

Addressing the distinguished audience after releasing books “The Basics of Human Civilization - Food, Agriculture and Humanity” series Volume-II: Food and Volume-III: Agriculture, His Excellency Dr. Hans Raj Bhardwaj highlighted that, “India should keenly monitor both agricultural production and population growth so that food security is fully protected. Speaking after releasing books on “The Basics of Human Civilization: Food, Agriculture and Humanity” series here on April 19, 2014, the Governor stressed the need to use innovative technology to increase food production and treat it as “top priority.” India could make progress in the early years of Independence because of the innovations of dedicated agricultural scientists, he said. He warned that no other country would come to the rescue of India in case of food scarcity and hence we should be extremely alert with regard to food production. He said more youngsters should take to agriculture since it is now rewarding and has marketing potential, unlike earlier.

The Chief Guest highlighted the contribution of PNASF in the area of food and agriculture particularly on food and nutrition security and expressed appreciation to authors and editors for their valuable efforts in bringing out these publications.
 

Hon. Shri M.V. Rajasekharan delivering speech

Shri M.V. Rajasekharan said that, “It is estimated that we need to produce 60% more food globally and 77% more in developing nations in particular, by 2050AD to meet the growing demand for food. But, dwindling land and water resources, threats posed by climate change and natural disasters, declining investment in agriculture, stagnation of productivity, high post-harvest loses, and wastage of food during transit, storage and consumption are limiting the efforts to produce and supply adequate food for ever growing population. “I am proud to inform here that Govt. of Karnataka is the first state in the country to have separate budget for agriculture. Apart from this the govt. has also implemented many food security schemes like mid-day meals in schools etc. The Department of Horticulture is working out models for Urban and peri-urban horticultural production in the light of ever increasing urbanization and shrinking arable land resources to ensure the urban population with adequate quantity of various produces.”

Appreciating the efforts of PNASF, he said that these publications will be of immense use to professionals, policy makers, teachers and students and the public in general and congratulate Dr. P. N. Agricultural Science Foundation, Bangalore and particularly Dr. Prem Nath for his leadership and service to society. Concluding his address he thanked the organizers for inviting him to participate in this book release ceremony.

 

Hon. Shri T.B. Jayachandra delivering speech

Shri T.B. Jayachandra quoting the worlds of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India said that “Of all the things before us, agriculture comes first” Agriculture was and is one of the largest employment sectors in the world, especially in India. More number of workers is employed in agriculture as compared to other sectors. In India, 70 per cent earn their livelihood through agriculture.

To feed the large population we require millions of tonnes of food grain. It is estimated that India would require 343.0 million tons of food grains by 2020 to feed the entire population. There are only two ways to increase the productivity- by increasing the land under agriculture and by using scientific methods of agriculture. As we cannot increase land under agriculture as it is saturated, so we should head toward scientific method to boost the productivity.

Shri Jayachandra expressed that these volumes will be of immense use to the policy makers, researchers, teachers, farmers and other stakeholders. He acknowledged the useful contribution of Dr. P.N. Agricultural Science Foundation particularly Dr. Prem Nath for his leadership. He congratulated the authors, editors and publishers for their best efforts in preparing these Volumes of the book.

 

Memento presented to His Excellency Governor of Karnataka by Dr. Prem Nath

 

Memento presented to Shri T.B. Jayachandra by Dr. Prem Nath

 

Memento presented to Shri M.V. Rajasekharan by Dr. Prem Nath

 

Release of book Volume-II: Food by the Chief Guest and Dignitaries

 

Release of book Volume-III: Agriculture by the Chief Guest and Dignitaries

The Book-Release Ceremony was covered by the television and the newspaper media.

The support extended by the Board of Trustees is praiseworthy. The trustee Ms. Shyamla Nath participated actively and pioneered the minute-to-minute programme of the function in the dedicated manner.
 

Some Authors of the books along with Dignitaries

 

PNASF Team along with Dignitaries

The moral strength received from PNASF/TAC members abroad and dedicated efforts on the ground by the Bangalore-based TAC members have demonstrated the contribution of PNASF in the form of valuable book and established the recognition of PNASF as one of the premier agricultural institution.
 

Vote of Thanks by PNASF, Mr. P.B. Gaddagimath

A warm vote of thanks was extended by the PNASF to dignitaries on and off the dais, all invitees, press media, television and radio and the Raj Bhawan officials who extended all support to the event.