On the occasion of 31st foundation day, the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi in India, organized a celebratory virtual meet as well as panel discussion on "Enriching Diet with Nutri-dense Vegetables for better Health and Wellness" and Physical session on 28.09.2021 (Tuesday). The event flagged off with a welcome address by the Director, Dr. Tusar Kanti Behera which laid out a fact sheet of the institute’s current programmes, plans and prospects. He also discussed the various initiatives taken by the institute for enhancing income of farmers as well as environmental sustainable farming practices.
Former directors Dr. G. Kaloo, Dr. Mathura Rai, Dr. T.A. More and Dr. P.S. Naik of the institute shared their memories and gave the remarks.
On this occasion Technical Session: “Panel discussion on Enriching Diet with Nutri-dense Vegetables for Better Health and Wellness” was organized. Dr. A.K.Singh, DDG, Horticulture ICAR, New Delhi Chaired the virtual panel discussion as the Chief Guest. During his address, Dr. Singh congratulated the entire vegetable fraternity and emphasized how the institute can increase nutritional security and income of farmers through horticultural crops specially vegetables. Dr. Vikramaditya Pandey, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), ICAR, New Delhi and Prof. Asna Urooj, Professor, Dept. of Studies in Food Science & Nutrition, Univ. of Mysore, Mysore were Co-chair in the session.
The experts from different institutes and private sector participated in the panel discussion. Dr. Surinder K Tikoo, Director, , Tierra Seed Science, Hyderabad, Prof. Pradeep Singh Negi, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research, Institute, Mysore, Dr. Ajai Kumar Pandey, Associate Professor, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU, Varanasi,. Dr. Elangovan M., India Molecular Breeding Lead, Advanta seeds (UPL Ltd.), Hyderabad, and Dr. Vilas Parkhi, Research Scientist and Group Leader, Mahyco, Pvt. Ltd. Jalna (M.S.) presented their views and suggested the importance of vegetables in nutrition security.
The prime attraction of the event was the 'Foundation Day Lecture', which was delivered by Dr. Mangala Rai, Former Secretary, DARE and Former Director General, ICAR, New Delhi. In his speech he urged that the institute should emphasis on nutrition enhancement in vegetable crops by applying modern tools in addition to traditional tools and to maintain the fertility of soil. In another significant event of the celebrations, scientists, technical, administration and supporting staff were commended for excellence in their fields and for being honoured with awards. Institute also organized drawing and arts events for the school students. The programme was attended by a large number of farmers, scientists, technical staff, officers, retired members, and representatives from the media via online platform and in physical presence in IIVR auditorium. .