Amritsar, January 10 : The Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences of the Guru Nanak Dev University has organized Sardar Bishan Singh Samundri Memorial Lectureship Award Lecture in the Common Seminar Hall of the Department. This lecture was organized in the profound memory of Sardar Bishan Singh Samundri, Founder Vice-Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University and sponsored by Sardar Jaswant Singh Memorial Education Trust, Jalandhar.
Dr. Rajinderjit Kaur Pawar, Dean, Academic Affairs presided over and Dr. K.S. Rai, Chairman of Sardar Jaswant Singh Memorial Education Trust was the chief guest. Dr. Narpinder Singh, Professor, Department of Food Science & Technology delivered this award lecture on “Food Security and Post Harvest Processing-A Challenge”. Dr. Adarsh Pal Vig, Head of the Department welcomed the chief guest and others. Prof. Avinash Nagpal detailed about the activities of the Department. Prof. Renu Bhardwaj presented vote of thanks.
Dr. A.K. Thukral, Director Research, Prof. Sukhdev Singh, Dean, life Sciences, Prof. Saroj Arora, Dr. Amarjeet Singh Soodan, Dr. Satwinderjeet Kaur, Mrs. Rajinder Kaur, Dr. Jatinder Kaur, Dr. Harpreet Walia and other faculty members of other Departments, research scholars and students were present on this occasion.
Prof. Narpinder Singh stressed on the equal access of food which in calories to the under nourished population of developing nations. He advised to intake of important nutrients like proteins and carbohydrates to eliminate malnutrition, stunted growth and organ malfunctioning. He also detailed the various problems associated with food in security such as overpopulation, urbanization, multiple cropping etc.
Dr. Narpinder said that the degradation of natural resources should be checked by the Government and NGO’s. He said that mass campaigns related to conservation of natural resources by education institutes should be more encouraged to create awareness at grass root level.
He said that water level in the Punjab is falling day by day due to over drawing of water for crops like paddy. He said that if this trend continues then very soon this State would turn into desert State. He said that the government should encourage the cultivation of those crops which earn more money instead consuming water during growth.
He referred the Asparagus fico in Peru cultivation so as to Punjab derived his lessons timely for rice cultivation and the falling water table in Punjab.
In her presidential address, Dr. Pawar drew attention to the negative influence of excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in the current agricultural practices. She said that excessive use of inorganic fertilizers is harmful for mankind and pleaded the farmers to encourage organic farming for the sake of humanity and for the generation to come. She also thanked Dr. Narpinder for providing such expert insight into the current agricultural scene.
Professor K.S. Rai apprised about the purpose of conducting such award lectures in the changing climate conditions and the importance of value addition to our food practices. He stressed upon the importance of food processing practices to secure the current food scenario in India.
On this Occasion Dr. Narpinder Singh was also honoured with Silver plaque and cash award by Dr. K.S. Rai and Dr. Pawar.