NEW DELHI, Dec 15: The vice-chancellors of various universities in the country promised to start a “Kamdhenu chair” in their respective universities to promote scientific knowledge on the agricultural, health, social, economic and environmental importance of the indigenous cows.
The announcement was made at a national webinar on “Kamdhenu Chair in Universities and Colleges” organized by the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog on Tuesday in association with the UGC, AICTE and AIU. In open House session Scientists and VCs from various Universities expressed happiness and applauded the initiative of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog.
Among the universities which promised to launch the Kamdhenu chair in their respective universities were the Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University, Prof. Sangita Srivastava; VC of Kamdhenu University in Gujarat, Dr. Naresh Kelawala; Rtd VC from Rajasthan, Krishna Murari Lal Pathak; VC from RAJUVAS, Prof Vishnu Sharma; Scientist from Central University of Haryana, Prof Satish Kumar; VC Nitin Pethani from Saurashtra University; VC from RKDF University, Dr. Sudesh Kumar Sohani; Dr. Panckaj Garg from Jyoti Vidyapeeth Womens University, Jaipur ; VC from Guru Govind Singh University in Godhra, Dr. Pratap Singh Chauhan; and the VC from ICFAI University.
Earlier, Prof Rajnish Jain, Secretary UGC promised that the UGC would provide full support for Kamdhenu chairs stating that the move would promote evidence based scientific mind set on many things that the people know but need to prove and make acceptable to all scientifically.
Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Dr. Pankaj Mittal also promised that the AIU would support the initiative fully. “There is huge science behind Cow and time has come to establish them and sensitize the youth through Kamdhenu chair,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog Chairman Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria introduced the concept and appealed all the Vice Chancellors across India and College Heads for starting ‘Kamdhenu Chair’ in every University and College. Dr. Kathiria said the country needed to educate the youth about agriculture, Health, Social, Economic and Environmental importance of the indigenous Cows. “Now the Government has started to explore the Potentials of Cows and Panchgavya, there is need to bring forth the Science related to Indigenous Cows and our Education system should provide platform as well as push in Research on benefits mentioned about Cows with modern scientific and process oriented approach,” he said.
The Union Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre applauded the initiative of Kamdhenu Chair. He said India was enriched by many benefits of cows in the society but “under the influence of foreign rulers we forgot it.” He stressed that time has come and we will support this initiative. “I am sure that the few Colleges and Universities will start the Kamdhenu chair then others will follow. Research and practical implementation in form of products needs to be showcased, established economically and presented with accurate scientific data in time bound way,” he said.
AICTE Chairman Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe stressed that – AatmnaNirbhar India is possible only with Aatmanirbhar Villages. We need to connect Old wisdom and new Technology together for New and Shining India. Agriculture Economy through Cows is highly scientific too. He mentioned MP Oscar Fernandes statements about health benefits of Panchgavya. Prof. Sahasrabudhe emphasised on Research and Development on Cow science to develop progressively to set up Kamdhenu Research Centre, Kamdhenu Study Centre and Kamdhenu Centre of Excellence and ultimately Kamdhenu University.
(Manas Dasgupta)