Chandigarh, April 24- The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu while chairing the 19th convocation ceremony at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal today conferred degrees on 544 students including gold medals.

While congratulating the students receiving degrees, President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu said that with these degrees a new chapter has been started in their life and each one of them should continue the streak of learning new things along with making significant contributions to the welfare of the people.

The President urged the students to contribute significantly to the progress of the nation and become entrepreneurs along with getting employment in the dairy industry. There are immense possibilities for growth in this field and you should take advantage of these possibilities, said Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

India accounts for about 22 percent of the world's milk production

She said that India is the largest producer of milk in the world. India accounts for about 22 percent of the world's milk production. The dairy sector contributes about 5 percent to the country's GDP and provides livelihood to 8 crore families directly and indirectly from the dairy industry.

With the participation of more than 70 percent, Women are playing a significant role in the dairy sector

“Women empowerment is playing a significant role in the management of the dairy industry. More than 70 percent of participants in the dairy sector are women. It is a matter of happiness that today more than one-third of the degree awardees are girls and 50 percent of the gold medalists are also girls. The dairy sector holds special importance in making women self-reliant and in bringing changes in their social and economic status. To ensure that women have equal rights and equal opportunities to lead, we need to provide more opportunities for training and skill development of women. Along with this, there should also be a system of providing easy loans for women entrepreneurs in the dairy farming business,” said Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

President lauds sportspersons of Haryana

Praising the sportspersons of Haryana, the President said that the children of Haryana are bringing laurels to the state and the country through sports. The State also has a good representation in the Armed Forces. Lauding the food habits of the State, the President said that because of its healthy and pure delicacies, the State is called ‘Desha Mein Desh Hariyaana Jahaan Doodh-Dahee Ka Khana’.

She said that many species of cow and buffalo are found in India. Some breeds have the ability to give 4 to 5 times more milk than other breeds. It is a commendable thing that NDRI has achieved a new milestone in producing milk by giving clones of cows and buffaloes. With this innovation, the milk production capacity of the animals can be increased and the income of the farmers will also increase, said the President.

Haryana ranks second in terms of milk production in the country, Governor

Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya while expressing gratitude to the President on behalf of the people of Haryana for her visit to the holy land and said that July 25 was a historic day for the country when she assumed the top constitutional post.

He said that National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal has a rich history of excellence in research and education in dairy science, animal husbandry and allied areas.

The Governor also thanked the faculty members of the NDRI and said that they have played a significant role in education and development. Your passion for teaching, research and innovation has provided you with skills and knowledge, said Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya.

He said that it is a matter of great pride that Haryana ranks second in terms of milk production in the country. NDRI Scientists had achieved a new milestone by producing the country's first Indigenous cow clone calf.

He said that the Indian dairy industry has immense potential to contribute to the economic development of the country and improve the lives of millions. With the right policies, investment and innovation, India can become a global leader in the dairy industry, and the time is right for a second white revolution, said Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya.

“As scholars of dairy science, animal husbandry and related fields, you are well aware of the important role these sectors play in our economy and society. The dairy industry is one of the largest agricultural sectors in our country, providing employment opportunities to lakhs of people and also contributing significantly to our national GDP. Similarly, animal husbandry plays a key role in ensuring food security, providing nutritious food to millions and supporting the livelihoods of many rural communities,” said Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya.

He said that there are many challenges before the sector like climate change, rising input costs, the emergence of new diseases and lack of awareness about animal welfare measures, but he is hopeful that the passing out students of this institute will rise to meet these challenges. Utilize your knowledge and skills to find a solution to the problem, exhorted Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya.

CM assures to provide loans to youth interested to run Dairy Industry

Speaking on the occasion, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the state government will provide loans to unemployed youth who are interested in running the Dairy Industry. This step will certainly prove to be resourceful in ensuring their contribution in milk supply to the country apart from giving them self-employment opportunities.

“In the past, a survey was conducted by the government to provide employment to the youth, in which 60 percent of youth expressed their desire to adopt self-employment in the Dairy Sector. In order to give wings to the dreams of such youth, the state government will hold talks with the banking sector and help them establish their Dairy Industry through the Cooperation Department,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

President is a live example that in a democracy anything can be achieved with hard work

Sh. Manohar Lal while welcoming the President to Karnal, which is known as the city of ‘Daanvir Karna’ and the birthplace of the great space scientist late Kalpana Chawla, said that due to the National Dairy Research Institute, today Karnal has shined bright at the international level.

While making a special mention of the struggles faced by the President, the Chief Minister said that she is a living example that in a democracy anything can be achieved with hard work.

Haryana has availability of 1127 grams of milk per person per day

Describing the farmers of Haryana as ‘hardworking’, the Chief Minister said that the availability of milk in the country is 444 grams per person, whereas, in Haryana, the availability of milk per person per day is 1127 grams.

“Today Haryana is third in milk production in the country, but I am hopeful that due to the hard work of the farmers, the State will soon overtake Punjab and other states to become number one in terms of highest milk production,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

He urged the Vice-Chancellor of NDRI to organise a get-together of the alumni so that the students can take inspiration from them.

Haryana shining bright in every field

The Chief Minister while citing the famous saying for Haryana, 'Deshan Mai Desh Haryana, Jeet Doodh-Dahi Ka Khana', said that it is because of this healthy food habits and purity of milk produced in the state that Haryana is shining bright in every field, especially bringing medals for the country in sports.

He also congratulated the students who have received their degrees. He said that the convocation ceremony is very important not only for students but also for any educational institution.

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Sh. Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Sh. Parshottam Rupala, and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Sh.  Kailash Choudhary also attended the convocation ceremony.