21-08-2025 : Governor inaugurates ‘Shri Ann Mahotsav’ at Pantnagar University.
Rajbhawan, Dehradun, 21 August, 2025
Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.), participated as the Chief Guest in the ‘Shri Ann Mahotsav’ organized at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, on Thursday. On this occasion, the Governor felicitated progressive farmers, distributed veterinary first-aid kits, and released the logo and several publications related to millets. He also inaugurated the renovated Gandhi Hall on the university campus and later visited various stalls set up during the Mahotsav.
In his address, the Governor said that this festival is not just about agriculture but also about celebrating our food, health, culture, and way of life. Referring to millets as “super grains,” he highlighted their rich nutritional value in proteins, fibers, and minerals, making them highly effective in addressing lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity.
The Governor noted that Uttarakhand is particularly suitable for millet cultivation, with its climate, soil, and traditions being ideal for crops like mandua, jhangora, koda, and ramdana. These crops, he said, not only require less water but also enhance farmers’ income. Stressing on India’s ancient wisdom linking diet and health, he remarked that our sages recognized this relationship thousands of years ago.
The Governor further emphasized the role of yoga, Ayurveda, and millets in promoting a healthy lifestyle. He appreciated Pantnagar University’s collaboration with the Indian Army to include millets in the diet of soldiers, which would boost their health and morale. He also lauded the establishment of the General Bipin Rawat Mountain Research Directorate for promoting millet cultivation in hill regions.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan stressed the need to revive millets as a national mission in line with the International Year of Millets 2023. He underlined collective efforts in research, value addition, and marketing of millet-based products for strengthening farmers’ incomes and improving nutrition. He also highlighted the progress made by the university.
The event began with a welcome address by Director of Research, Dr. Ajit Nain, who outlined the objectives of the Mahotsav and the importance of millet-based agricultural systems in tackling challenges of health, climate, and livelihoods. A highlight of the programme was the release of several publications authored by distinguished faculty members, including Dr. J.P. Jaiswal, Dr. A.S. Nain, Dr. S.K. Verma, Dr. Archana Kushwaha, Dr. Pramod Mall, and Dr. R.P.S. Gangwar. A specially designed veterinary first-aid kit for farmers, prepared by Dr. J.L. Singh of the College of Veterinary Sciences, was distributed to selected farmers to ensure their health and safety during field work. Farmers including Sunita Sah, Beena Devi, Shyam Singh, Shyam Dutt Mishra, and Dhan Singh were also felicitated for their notable contributions in agriculture.
The programme was attended by District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, Senior Superintendent of Police Manikant Mishra, Colonel Dhillon, Colonel Ajit, Chief Medical Officer Dr. K.K. Agrawal, Director of Administration and Monitoring, Registrar, Controller, Deans, Directors, faculty members, farmers, soldiers, and students.
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