CAU, IBSD celebrate Christmas eve
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 24 2014 :
Central Agricultural University (CAU) Imphal and Institute of Bio-Resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) today celebrated Christmas eve together with visiting students from other parts of India on a special trip of Gyanodaya Express to the North East.
The students coming from different parts of the country have been taken to many places including Govindaji Temple, Kangla, Imphal War Cemetery, ISKCON's University of Bhagwat Culture, INA complex, Ukhrul, Manipur University, SAI complex, CAU, IBSD etc.
The students who came from Delhi were accorded a warm reception at CAU today where the university's acting VC M Premjit, Director of Instructors Dr Sarbajit Singh Negra, Registrar PM Pillai and Dean Prof JM Laishram were seated on the dais.
Speaking at the occasion, M Premjit gave a detailed account of CAU Imphal to the visiting students and presented a memento.
Though Manipur is located in a remote corner of the country, the State has rich cultural heritage, a vibrant sporting culture and is a biodiversity hotspot, Premjit said.
He also mentioned about Sangai, Siroy Lily, Dzuko Valley and Ukhrul's Salamander.
In addition to establishment of a College of Food Technology which is coming up in the next couple of years, CAU, Imphal has been working to establish a fruit processing unit with a view to enable the State export its horticultural produces, said the acting VC.
The visiting students were felicitated at IBSD, Takyel.
There IBSD Director Prof Deenbandhu Sahu presented mementoes to the students and they celebrated Christmas eve together.
Studying the culture and traditions of any group of people or community in class rooms through printed texts and other documents would take years but studying the culture and traditions of Manipur can be accomplished in a much shorter period if the students adopt the method of people to people contact, Deenbandhu Sahu said.
He appealed to the visiting students to educate their families, friends and others about Manipur and all its defining characteristics as and when they return to their respective States.
Teachers and scientists of IBSD also gave short but valuable lectures on medicinal plants, fishery and microbial resources found in Manipur.
One of the visiting delegates said that he had no idea about Manipur's pristine beauty and its rich cultural heritage before he came to the State.
Saying that he now has some idea about the rich culture and tradition of Manipur, the delegate pledged that he would embark on a research project of the highest standard on a topic exclusive to the State of Manipur.
Another delegate expressed amazement over the presence of security personnel on every street and highways.
Later in the evening, a bonfire was lit and the visiting students celebrated a memorable Christmas eve singing carols together with their host at the IBSD campus.