LUDHIANA,

Ms Rajwinder Kaur Sandhu, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been awarded INSPIRE Fellowship by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, for conducting research for her Ph.D. programme. She is pursuing her research on ‘Bases of resistance against brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (stal) in wild rice accessions,’ under the guidance of Dr Preetinder Singh Sarao, Senior Entomologist. The INSPIRE fellowship aims at topping the Government’s efforts in nurturing talents for scientific research. The fellowship is offered to the University first ranker in a particular subject at postgraduate level examination in basic and applied science courses. The fellowship involves Rs 25,000-28,000 plus HRA per month with a contingent grant of Rs 20,000 per annum. Ms Sandhu had been the recipient of two Gold Medals, one each for securing the highest OCPA during her B.Sc. (8.86/10.00) as well as M.Sc. (9.18/10.00). She is also a recipient of Dr G.S. Khush Foundation Scholarship during her B.Sc. and University Merit Scholarship during her M.Sc.

Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor; Dr Neelam Grewal, Dean, Postgraduate Studies; Dr S.S. Kukal, Dean, College of Agriculture and Dr P.K. Chhuneja, Head, Department of Entomology, congratulated Rajwinder Kaur for this achievement and wished her bright career ahead.