The 77th Republic Day at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) was commemorated with great reverence and patriotic spirit, echoing the national ethos of upholding the democratic values, unity in diversity, and an unwavering devotion to the motherland.
Unfurling the national flag amid ceremonial grandeur, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, paid glowing tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation; Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Subhash Chandra Bose and several other martyrs; and Dr BR Ambedkar for putting-up a collective fight against Britishers’ tyrannies; sacrificing their lives for the freedom of the country; and for drafting the constitution of free India, respectively. “India attained independence on August 15, 1947 and became Republic on January 26, 1950,” said Dr Gosal, while applauding the unceasing valour of the freedom fighters in keeping the national flag of India flowing in high spirits as well as the scientists and the farmers for shedding the tag of ‘food deficit’ and welcoming the tag of ‘food secure.’
Further, Dr Gosal credited the three-year consecutive top ranking of PAU in India in NIRF rankings to the untiring efforts of the agricultural stalwarts, PAU scientists, teaching and non-teaching staff. The recommendation of landmark crop varieties and matching production as well as protection technologies have enabled PAU and farmers to excel in agriculture and touch the heights of glory, he observed. In addition, Dr Gosal made a call for making a shift from tradition to digitization in the fast-paced hi-tech era. “Youth is the strength of the nation,” he observed, while calling upon them to develop a deep sense of patriotism, discipline and unity among mankind.
Dr Nirmal Jaura, Director Students’ Welfare, while welcoming the PAU VC, senior officials and the NCC cadets, said that nation’s bright future lies in the hands of Gen Z, who must come up to the expectations of the society by shouldering moral responsibilities, respecting democratic ethos, and maintaining harmony as well as peace in the country. Dr Jaura also shed light on the accolades won by PAU students in co-curricular activities at the state and the national level.
Proposing a vote of thanks, Dr Rishi Pal Singh, Registrar, said that youths must carve a niche for themselves in their areas of interest and leave indelible impressions through their tireless labour, thus, keeping the nation’s pride intact.
Mr Gurpreet Virk, Welfare Officers (Boys), conducted the programme.