She decided to pursue a BSc in Agriculture following her parents’ suggestion. A farmer’s daughter, she left her parents speechless after winning nine gold medals for excellence in academics. Asha I S was one of the proud and happy students who graduated at the 48th annual convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore.
“We own a one acre land in Haandi, Chikmaglur. But the land has not given us yield in the last seven years. It was our only source of income. My parents now practice animal husbandry to make ends meet,” Asha said. Asha, who graduated in Genetics and Plant Breeding, said that she will apply for education loan to pursue MSc in the field.
“My parents have sacrificed a lot to help me complete my education. This was only the first step to say thank you,” she added.
The university on Sunday awarded about 129 gold medals to 16 undergraduate, 21 post-graduate and 13 PhD candidates. Of the 906 students who graduated, 566 were undergraduates, 59 PhD students, 169 MSc (Agri), Bangalore, 8 MSc(Agri) Shimoga, 7 M Tech (Agri Engg) Bangalore, 6 MSc (Forestry) Ponnampet and 32 were MBAs (ABM). Aditya KS, who was conferred the MSC degree in Agricultural Economics could stop smiling as he looked at his father.
“My son has managed to complete his education by getting scholarships. He has always worked hard,” said Srinivas Rao, father of Aditya.
Aditya received seven gold medals. Rao, who works as a cook at a temple in a village in Shimoga, said his financial condition would not have allowed him to fund Aditya’s education.
‘Set Up National Biotechnology and Biosafety Body’
The convocation ceremony held at the University grounds was attended by the Governor H R Bhardwaj who is also the Chancellor of the university.
Geneticist and agriculture scientist Dr M S Swaminathan was the chief guest on the occasion.
In his convocation address, Swaminathan said that the young generation should be attracted to farming as an occupation and the field is in dire need of implementation of technological upgradation. “Agricultural engineering should be given an impetus. Food biotechnology is a very important field and the government should give a thought to establishing a National Biotechnology and Biosafety body,” he said.
Speaking on the same lines was young Akshatha H, a Bsc graduate who is of the view that technology for agriculture is present, but implementation is the problem. Wanting to join the civil services so as to be a part of the policy making
which will better the life of a farmer, the Bangalore girl has already started preparing for the IAS.
“I also want to pursue post-graduation in Agri-economics. Farming today is not an easy profession. With resources like water and land reducing, farmers have to find new methods of using them judiciously and still getting good yield. This is one area I hope to help them with,” she said.