Food Security is one of the world’s biggest challenges in modern times: Dr. S Jaishankar
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has said that the world’s biggest challenge at present is going to be food security and all countries will have to work together to deal with it.
Dr. Jaishankar said this while addressing as the chief guest at the International Education Fair program organized in the national capital on the occasion of opening of admission for international students by Shere Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Srinagar.
“If I have to choose some big problem of the present time, then the issue of food security is important among them. The Ukraine war has made this problem more acute and has come before us,” the foreign minister said. He said that on the initiative of India, the decision taken by the United Nations to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets is very important. Its consequences are not only for India but for the whole world.
This year also from the G-20 summit, we want to convey this message that for food security it is necessary that all countries make joint efforts. Because for centuries we have been producing coarse grains. This requires a fresh effort. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Indian Council for Cultural Relations Chairman Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also participated in the programme.
Complimenting the university for the International Education Fair initiative, Dr. Jaishankar said that three years ago, the process of transformation began in Jammu and Kashmir, with the aim of ensuring that the full benefits of the development and progress that the rest of India reaped for many years. seen over the years, is now fully available to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the youth.
In this context, it was very important for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to be in the national mainstream. By doing so, they will connect with the rest of India and the international mainstream. “For me it is not just an education program, it is a very integral part of making sure that a very important sector of India is connected to what is happening in the world,” he said.
Dr Jaishankar said that Indian universities should focus on inviting more foreign students to their campuses. He said, “Today, India has projects in 78 countries of the world which are either completed or nearing completion. What is needed is that the flow of international students to India should be large.” External Affairs Minister said, “In a globalized world, it is absolutely necessary that the youth of India are fully aware of what is happening in the world and there is no better way to do that than by having international students among you ”
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the Government of J&K for showcasing the strength and vibrancy of higher education scenario of the country as well as the knowledge heritage of J&K. He said, “Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new dawn of development under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi. With the implementation of the National Education Policy, we are internationalizing our education sector. The Ministry of Education will support, encourage and facilitate the globalization of Shere Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir.” He encouraged all universities to join efforts to establish India as a global study destination.
Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the National Education Policy brought out by the Prime Minister promises to open up career and start-up opportunities driven by competency, skill and flexi options in capacity building. He said, “Jammu and Kashmir has a rich heritage of innovation in agriculture, Aroma Mission and Purple Revolution, which gives it the potential to be a torchbearer of the agri startup movement in India.”
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister Modi for accelerating the development of Jammu and Kashmir and turning it into a preferred destination for students, travelers and entrepreneurs. The Lt Governor said that with this initiative J&K has started a dedicated program for foreign students. We aim to invite international students to J&K for short term and long term courses in various disciplines and to strengthen international connectivity. In the last three years, we have focused on strengthening the education sector, developing knowledge workers for sectors such as industries, agriculture and healthcare.
The Lt Governor said that serious efforts have been made to convert the knowledge dividend into wealth for the process of innovation and development. The initiative of this university in this direction will also set an example for other universities of the country. He added, “Apart from campuses nestled in nature’s paradise, professional faculties, high standard of living, J&K is also starting with artificial intelligence, robotics to agricultural science, yoga, Sanskrit and interface with industries for research and innovation.” Offering various courses.
The Lt Governor said that more than 150 higher education institutions, two central universities, seven state universities, two AIIMS, IIMs, IITs, NITs, NIFTs, IIMCs
And with two Universities of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a preferred destination for students in India. He also said that the paradigm shift towards virtues of life that humanity is witnessing is the need to enhance the quality of life through exchange programs between countries and to learn from each other and support each other more and more in our journey. There is an opportunity to enable you to achieve heights. Today the whole world is looking at India with admiration and hope.
