Golden Jubilee National Symposium on Current Interventions to Plants at GNDU

Amritsar, March 14 (Punjab Post Bureau) – The Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University in collaboration with Society for Plant Research organized “Golden Jubilee National Symposium on Current Interventions to Plants and Microbes for Environmental and Agricultural Sustainability (CIPME- 2019). The inaugural function was graced by the presence of Prof. K Muthuchelian, School of Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Former Vice-Chancellor, Periyar University, Salem and Director, Centre for Biodiversity & Forest Studies, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. Prof. Hardeep Singh, Dean Academic affairs of Guru Nanak Dev, University presided over the function. He was of the view that technological interventions can improve the supply chain of food products. Dr. M.S. Bhatti, Head of the Department, briefed about the achievements of the Department. Prof Renu Bhardwaj, Organizing Secretary of the programme welcomed the guests. Prof. Avinash Nagpal, Convener of DRS–SAP Grant awarded to the Department, appraised about the DRS SAP programme.  The President of Society of Plant Research Prof. R.R Hanchinal and Secretary General Prof. S.K Bhatnagar gave an overview of the scientific activities of the society. The society also honoured eminent scientists of the country. On this occasion, Prof. AK Thukral was facilitated by Life Time Achievement Award for his contribution in the field of Plant and Environmental Sciences. The Abstract Book of the symposium and the book on “Bioprospecting of Algae” were released during the inauguration.  The participants from more than 25 Universities and Institutes belonging to more than 15 states of the country participated in the Symposium.  During the three days of the symposium, 15 plenary lectures, 30 oral presentations and more than 50 poster presentations were delivered. A separate poster session for young students was also arranged under the head “Planet Earth Our Vision” where more than 50 posters were displayed. The delegates of the symposium also visited Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border and spent the cultural evening with the students of the Department. The valedictory session was graced by Dr. P.V. Sivapullaiah, Pro Vice-Chancellor from GITAM University, Banglore.  The participants were also awarded certificates and prizes for their Best Poster Presentations. Dr. Saroj Arora and Dr. Satwinderjit Kaur thanked the participants in inaugural and valedictory sessions. Dr. Jatinder Kaur, Dr. Rajinder Kaur, Dr. Kirandeep Dhami were also present during the symposium.