Dr K K Kaushik
Samastipur (Bihar): The President of India Ram Nath Kovind on November 15, 2018, visited Pusa, Samastipur, to address the first convocation of the Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University. Addressing the students, the President noted that there are immense opportunities for agricultural scientists to contribute to the agro-development of the country. Thirty-three students including 25 girls were awarded gold medals on the day.
The President said Bihar holds a special place in his heart. He said that if the people of Bihar sustain the spirit of Chhath festival for the entire year, they can play a vital role in the development of the country. The first modern Agriculture Institute of the country, Imperial Agriculture Research Institute, Pusa, was established in 1905, he said and added that after the January 1934 earthquake, it was shifted to New Delhi in 1935. Later on, Rajendra Agriculture University (RAU) was established on the same premises in 1970, which has now become Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, President Kovind said. He was extremely happy to know that students from 20 states were studying here today.
The President also expressed his happiness over the tremendous increase in the production of Maize in the state, which has more than doubled, due to improvement made in agriculture techniques by this university, according to a PIB release.