LUDHIANA,
The 21st Punjab Science Congress on “Scientific Advances for Inclusive Development and Environmental Protection” concluded at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. The Science Congress was organized under the aegis of Punjab Academy of Sciences (PAS), Patiala. The plenary session III on “Inclusive Development and Human Health” was chaired by Dr Jai Rup Singh, former Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar. Dr A.S. Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), was the chief guest at the valedictory function.

In his remarks, Dr Jai Rup Singh said, “Punjabis have been feeding the nation, but in return they are suffering.” Expressing concern over the dearth of good doctors in Punjab, he said several posts are lying vacant in Government Medical Colleges in the state. “As per the statistical data of Indian Medical Association, the country has seven doctors for the population of 10,000,” he revealed. Pointing out the medical scams in India, he said “Vyapam Scam (2012) in Madhya Pradesh is not only in that state but in every state of India and even in privatization.” Dr Jai Rup Singh further observed, “Harvard University’s budget is higher than India’s education budget. In India, Universities still struggle to get salaries from the government.” He stressed on promoting scientific temper and thinking among the people and lauded PAU and Punjab Academy of Sciences for organizing this Science Congress.

Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, while giving presentation on “Green Revolution and Thereafter: Achievements and Myths,” said new technologies, fertilizers, minimum support price and procurement, tubewell irrigation, roads and markets were the main factors which contributed to Green Revolution. Punjab followed intensive agriculture to meet the national food security needs, he remarked, while referring to several myths about contemporary agriculture including soil health deterioration, misuse of pesticides and their residues, stagnation in crop productivity and decrease in income. Citing successful examples, Dr Dhillon said that soil carbon was increasing and the adoption of integrated pest management system in Punjab resulted in record cotton productivity of 756 kg/hectare (ha) of lint and saved pesticides worth Rs 54.42 crore (2016). He further disclosed that average productivity of wheat has jumped from 43.5 q/ha (2001-02 to 2010-11) to 48.0 q/ha (2011-12 to 2016-17) and that of paddy from 57.4 q/ha (2001-02 to 2010-11) to 60.0 q/ha (2011-12 to 2016-17). In Punjab, per household income from agriculture in Rs 16,349, whereas in Haryana, it is Rs 10,916, he added.

Dr Pratap Kumar Pati, Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, GNDU, spoke on “Biotechnological Intervention in Enhancement of Commercial Value of Withania Somnifera.” Withania Somnifera, an important medicinal plant, faced a major challenge from leaf spot disease, he said, while highlighting the development of an efficient ITS based detection system for leaf spot pathogen.

The technical session on “Agricultural Sciences, Food, Dairy and Sugar Technologies” was chaired by Dr Rajbir Singh, Director, ATARI. Dr P.S. Panesar, Professor, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Longowal, delivered his talk on “Bio Processing of Foods: Progress and Prospects.”

During the technical session on “Biosciences Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology,” Dr S.S. Gosal, former Director of Research, PAU and Member, Board of Management, PAU, made a presentation on “Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation in Relation to Crop Improvement.” The session was chaired by Dr APS Mann, former Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, PAU.

The technical session on “Pure and Applied Chemistry and Physics, Mathematical, Nanotechnology, Environmental, Community and Social Sciences” witnessed a lecture on “Role of Science and Technology in Addressing Gender Equality” by Dr Pam Rajput, Director, Centre for Women Studies and Development, PU. Dr J.K. Gulati, Dean, College of Home Science, PAU, chaired the session.

In the last technical session on “Medical, Veterinary, Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Dr Prasad V. Bharatam, Dean, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali and Dr Satnam Singh, Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, shared their views on “Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of GTU Derivatives as Antimalarial Agents” and “Cancer: Myths and Reality” respectively. The session was chaired by Dr Satyavan Rampal, Director Students’ Welfare-cum-Estate Officer, GADVASU.

Appreciating the efforts of the organizers, Dr Nanda said such a brainstorming session would go a long way in coming up with useful recommendations. Later, he gave away the awards to several scientists.