On September 14, 2023, at the ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute in Avikanagar, Hon’ble Vice-President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankar, was welcomed by Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar, the Director of the institute. They presented a bouquet made from pearl millet and sorghum, the crops grown at the institute.
The scouts of the Kendriya Vidhyalaya Avikanagar campus greeted the Vice-President with great enthusiasm. During the visit, Vice-President Shri Dhankar was briefed by Director Dr. Arun Kumar about the various breeds of sheep at the institute. Hon’ble Vice-President appreciated the institute's efforts and emphasized the crucial role of farmers and livestock keepers in making India self-reliant.
Hon’ble Vice-President Shri Dhankar also planted a banyan tree in the technology park of the institute. He inspected products made from the wool fibres of the institute's sheep, including fabrics and other items like meat and milk.
He highlighted the significance of the Scheduled Caste Scheme, which provides training to women and girls, enabling them to contribute to their families' economic progress. In a session with more than 100 progressive farmers, and more than 30 self paid trainee farmes from over 8 states participating in skill development training programs at Avikanagar,Hon’ble Vice- President Shri Dhankar commended their contributions to India's self-sufficiency in food production and noted the potential for export of various food products.
He concluded by appreciating the efforts of the institute in supporting farmers and livestock keepers, assuring further collaboration, and encouraging them to continue their research endeavours to lead India to global prominence.
During the visit of Hon’ble Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar, various dignitaries were present, including Shri Sukhbir Singh Jaunpuriya, the Member of Parliament from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, local MLA Shri Kanhaiyalal Chaudhary, Shrimati Saroj Bansal, Jila Pramukh, Sonia Soni Chairmen of Malpura Municipality, former MLA Shri Jeetaram Chaudhary, Sushri Chinmaya Gopala District Collector tonk , Dr. Randhir Singh Bhatt, Head of Animal Nutrition Division, Dr. Siddharth Sarathi Misra, the Head of AGB Division, Dr. G. G. Sanawane, Head of Animal Health Division, Dr. Ajay Kumar Visit Coordinator of the excursion program, Shri Indrabhushan Kumar Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. Amar Singh Meena, PRO of Avikanagar, as well as various local representatives and all the employees of Avikanagar Institute belonging to different categories (scientific, technical, administrative, contractual, etc.).
In conclusion, Hon’ble Vice-President Shri Dhankar addressed the media, encouraging the scientists at the institute for their innovative research work and urging them to continue their efforts to make India a leader on the global stage. Director Dr. Arun Kumar Tomar provided the media briefing of the Vice-President's entire visit.