Agriculture and Sugarcane Development Department Secretary Dr Nitin Madan Kulkarni on Wednesday assured the officials of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) that the State Government would help them with funds and adequate manpower in all possible ways. He was speaking during the 33rd Foundation Day ceremony of BAU.

"Funds and human resource will turn out to be very vital for BAU's further development along with growth," Dr Kulkarni said. He further said, "Foundation Day is not only an occasion to have an overview of achievements and identify past mistakes and weakness but also an occasion to draw future roadmap with clear cut goals."

The main objective of the event was to recognise and award the people in their respective fields. Former Vice Chancellor (VC) of SK Rajasthan Agricultural University (Bikaner) cum former DDG (Education) ICAR, New Delhi Dr SP Tiwari was the chief guest of the event who discussed about the problems and constraints related to agriculture and their universities in Jharkhand.

VC, BAU, Ranchi Dr MP Pandey, the chairman presented the Annual Progress Report of the University 2012-2013. The report described the progress of the university which includes the work of scientists, teachers as well as the students. He said, "You should lead a meaningful life rather than a successful life. You should change according to time."

The officials informed that the main objectives of the association are to serve as inter-agricultural university organisation, promote agricultural research, education and extension in universities and States, and thereby rural development in the country, act as a bureau of information and to facilitate communication, coordination and mutual consultation amongst

agricultural universities, liaison between the agricultural universities and the Government. Scientists, namely, Dr DN Singh and HC lal were given best teacher award. Ten awards to the officials as well as students of BAU were awarded for their achievements. Dr Kulkarni and Dr Tiwari inaugurated Crop Research Centre-2 Block and Integrated Farming System Module.

The event started with the welcoming of the guests followed with the kulgeet, lighting of lamp, presentation of the Annual Report, distribution of awards and recognitions, address by the guest of honour, address by the chief guest, vote of thanks and finally the National Anthem.