72 rural students awarded scholarships worth Rs14,400

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 18

The annual award ceremony of Dr Gurdev Singh Khush Foundation for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences was held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today.

Members of the foundation, including chairman Dr GS Khush; SS Johl, Chancellor, Central University, Bathinda; and Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice Chancellor, PAU, awarded merit certificates and travel grants to deserving students of PAU and Guru Anagd Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU).

The annual award ceremony of the foundation is held on a grand scale every year at the Pal Auditorium, but this year, it was only a brief formal event owing to the demise of its founder member, Dr DS Brar, scientist and Adjunct Professor at PAU. The event was also held on a small scale owing to the threat of spread of Covid-19.

In his presidential remarks, Gurdev Singh Khush, internationally known geneticist and plant breeder, paid tributes to Dr Brar and called him a devoted professional and a compassionate human being. “In Dr Brar’s demise, the world has lost a visionary leader,” he added. He extended gratitude to the Vice Chancellor Dhillon for the support in carrying out activities of the foundation.

Johl appreciated the work done by Dr Khush and his foundation and called for a universal need for giving back and thinking of others in times when materialism and personal gain ruled the world. He also offered his condolences during his speech.

Dhillon urged for taking inspiration from the life of Dr Brar. He thanked Dr Khush for giving the much required platform and motivation to rural students so that they kept working harder and empowered themselves and society.

The GS Khush travel grant for participation in scientific conferences held across India and the world was awarded to 19 postgraduate students and young faculty of the university.

The GS Khush Merit Scholarship was awarded to a total of 55 students from five constituent colleges of PAU and 17 from GADVASU. All awards are given to students from rural areas, with each student granted scholarships of Rs 14,400 per annum and a merit certificate.

The awardees were also instructed to come one by one for receiving the prizes in the Vice Chancellor’s committee room.