Governor calls for tighter monitoring of girls' hostels living standards

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of State Universities, Smt. Anandiben Patel, presided over the 28th Convocation of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, on Thursday. The ceremony saw 649 students being awarded degrees and 63 students receiving medals across the university’s campuses. On the occasion, Anganwadi kits were distributed to 300 Anganwadi Centers in Farrukhabad district, and HPV vaccination was administered to 600 girls, including the daughters of police personnel posted at Police Lines. The Governor informed that 64,443 Anganwadi kits have been distributed in the state so far and directed officials to ensure 100 percent coverage of kits and complete the HPV vaccination campaign across Uttar Pradesh.

Expressing serious concern over deficiencies found during a recent inspection of the campus by the Raj Bhavan team, the Governor directed the Vice-Chancellor and concerned officials to remove all shortcomings within one month. She stated that she would personally review the progress and conduct a follow-up inspection. Taking strong objection to the mismanagement observed in women’s hostels, she ordered immediate corrective measures and repair of dilapidated hostel buildings. Reviewing the medal tally, the Governor noted that only 15 medals came from the main campus, 15 from Etawah, 3 from Lakhimpur Kheri, and none from the Hardoi campus. She sought a detailed explanation from officials regarding the low number of medals. 

On student services, the Governor said that despite the availability of DigiLocker, many students continue to collect physical marksheets and degrees from the university. She instructed the administration to create awareness and train students to download their documents digitally from home to bring greater transparency and reduce delays. For infrastructure, she directed that the proposed new library be developed with modern facilities as per present-day requirements. With 22 hostels currently operational, she ordered that all of them be equipped with essential amenities, including hygienic and nutritious food in messes and washing machines for students. She also asked that the design of two new under-construction hostels be modern, safe, and equipped with all basic facilities. Additional directions included improving conditions in the university Goshala, ensuring quality medical facilities for all staff, upgrading sports grounds, and replacing expired fire safety equipment immediately. 

Addressing the gathering, the Governor emphasized the role of technology in transforming agriculture. She said that India’s farmers are now moving beyond traditional farming by using drones for crop monitoring, mobile-based farm management, and AI-driven techniques. She urged students to take artificial intelligence, IoT, remote sensing, precision farming, and digital soil health analysis from laboratories to farmers’ fields. Highlighting opportunities in agri-startups, drone services, smart irrigation, e-commerce, and value addition, she noted that agriculture is now a sector driven by data and innovation. She also raised concerns over seed procurement, citing an instance where an agriculture university produced 2,600 quintals of pulse seeds as per target but the state did not purchase them, resulting in a loss of nearly Rs 2.5 crore to the university. She stressed that certified quality seeds produced by state agricultural universities should be prioritized and that procurement systems must be put in place once production targets are set.

The Governor called for stronger linkages between scientific research, university innovation, and farmers’ field experience to make agriculture more profitable and self-reliant. She referred to a recent NABARD program on FPO-level challenges, where experts discussed issues related to small and marginal farmers, balanced use of fertilizers and pesticides, water efficiency, soil health, climate change, horticulture, and animal husbandry. For campus upkeep, she directed the formation of teacher committees to ensure regular monitoring of cleanliness and to develop the university as a clean, safe, and model campus.

BIMSTEC Secretary General and senior diplomat Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey attended as the Chief Guest. The Governor said his experience and vision in advancing BIMSTEC Vision 2030 and regional cooperation would inspire students. A total of 13 students who won various competitions were felicitated with certificates, books, pens, bags, and chocolates. An Anganwadi worker who secured first place received a memento and certificate, while books were presented to a primary school headmaster and five books to the district administration. VC Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Gupta presented the university’s progress report. The event was attended by public representatives, district officials, deans, faculty members, Anganwadi workers, school teachers, students, and other dignitaries.