On 5th December, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair has concluded its fortnightly programme of Agricultural Education Day, in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Shri Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India along with the celebration of World Soil Day.
At the outset, Dr. S.K. Zamir Ahmed, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer of the Programme welcomed the school and college students who have participated and won prizes in various competitions held since 15th November and their teachers. Dr. T.P. Swarnam, Head, Division of Natural Resource Management gave a lecture on the theme “Soil: Where Food Begins” and read out the World Soil Day Message of Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Dr. R. Jaya Kumaravaradan, Scientist and Organizing Secretary of the Programme read out the Message of Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) and presented a brief report on the overall events held namely debate, painting, quiz, concept paper and photo competitions; Scientist - Student interaction and Seminar Lecture, wherein 1,459 students from 18 schools and 6 colleges across South Andaman district participated. He further informed that a similar programme was conducted by Dr. Y. Gladston and Dr. S.M. Ajina, Scientists at the Regional Station, Minicoy, Lakshadweep wherein 239 students participated and Dr.Shrikant R. Tapdiya, Deputy Collector, Minicoy presided over the valedictory function to felicitate the winners.
Smt. Shareela Younis, Teacher of GSSS, Garacharma and students Ms. NandiniDevi of GSSS, Port Mout, Mr. Ayush Kumar Dubey of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan District Institute of Education and Training, Ms. K. Sathamma of Andaman Law College and Ms. Sneha Jayadar of St. Mary’s School expressed their gratitude for imparting knowledge about the agriculture and allied sectors; and their career prospects.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, CIARI applauded all the participants and winners of various competitions and thanked the Principals for their encouragement. While appreciating the benefit of such programmes, he urged the students to spread the knowledge gained on the career opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors through participation in various events and interaction with the Scientists, to their parents, relatives and friends.
The winners of the competitions were given certificates and prizes by Dr. Debasis Bhattacharya, Head, Division of Animal Science and Dr. B. A. Jerard, Head, Division of Horticulture and Forestry. In the debate competition,team GSSS, Port Mout won the first prize followed by second prize to St. Mary’s school, third prize to GMSSS and consolation prize to Saraswati Sishu Mandir.In the college category, team Andaman Law College won the first prize followed by second prize to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan District Institute of Education and Training, third prize to JNRM and consolation prize to TGCE.
In the painting competition for 9th and 10th standard students, Ms. Akshita Rajee Varghese of St. Mary’s school won the first prize followed by second prize to Ms. Aynul Hayat of NCS, third prize to Ms. Raha Begum of GGSSS and consolation prize to Ms. Suhana Khatun of GGSSS and Ms. Surabhi Agrawal of NCS.In 11th and 12th standard category, Mr. Animesh Uraw of Kamraj English Medium School won the first prize followed by second prize to Ms. Shreya Lall of VKV, third prize to Ms. Swati Kerketta of GSSS, Garacharma and consolation prize to Ms. R.S. Dharshini of VKK and Ms. C. Shifana Banu of GSSS, Port Mout.
In the quiz competition, team of GSSS, Port Mout won the first prize followed by second prize to St. Mary’s school, third prize to Kamraj English Medium School and consolation prize to MGIS. In the concept paper competition, Ms. Ansia Meenaz of KV-1 won the first prize followed by second prize to Ms. Vridhi Nair of NCS, third prize to Ms. Md. Mumtaz of GBSSS and consolation prize to Mr. Sreeram of GSSS, Bathubasti.
In the photography competition held among the staff to catch the pride of CIARI, Shri Shareefuddeen Hassan Karangothi, T-4 won the first prize in the Technology category followed by second prize to Dr. A.A. Waman, Scientist, third prize to Shri J. Praveenraj, Scientist and consolation prize to Dr. I. Jaisankar, Senior Scientist and Shri Suresh, Project Staff. In the scenery category, Shri Amit Roy, YP won the first prize followed by second prize to Shri Shareefuddeen Hassan Karangothi, T-4, third prize to Dr. I. Jaisankar, Senior Scientist and Dr. A.A. Waman, Scientist; and consolation prize to Dr. J. Praveen Raj, Scientist and Shri Suresh, Project Staff.
The function was coordinated by Smt. Asma Bibi, T-3 and concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Shri D. Karunakaran, Scientist and Organizing Secretary.