valedictory session

VOTE  OF  THANKS

P. S. Grewal

Vice-Chairman

            The Fertiliser Association of India, New Delhi 

Hon’ble Prof. Abhijit Sen,  Mr. H.C. Grover, Mr. B. K. Saha, distinguished delegates and invitees.

Sir, we are extremely grateful  to  you for delivering   the  Valedictory   Address at the concluding session   of   the   FAI Golden Jubilee seminar on “Economic Growth through Agriculture and Fertilisers.”

Sir, we all are aware that agriculture is the back-bone of our economy.  The growth in agriculture has a multiplier effect on the entire economy, and fertilisers have played a vital role in improving agricultural production, productivity and farm incomes in India.  In fact,  the much needed doubling of food production in India, in a decade or so can be achieved only by increasing the use of chemical fertilisers in combination with bio-fertilisers and organic manures since the additional yield has to come from the existing land.

Accordingly, we have devoted the FAI Seminar 2005 to the theme of “Economic Growth through  Agriculture and Fertilisers”.  During the last two days we deliberated on policy issues, production technology,  marketing  and  agronomic  and environmental aspects.

I take this opportunity to thank Hon’ble Union  Minister for Chemicals, Fertilizers and  Steel  Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan for inaugurating this Seminar on 1st December 2005. 

We are grateful to Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Foundation, for delivering the Golden Jubilee Lecture on “Towards an Evergreen Revolution in Agriculture” on 1st December to mark the completion of 50 years of the Fertiliser Association of India. 

I sincerely thank senior Government officials and other dignitaries for their esteemed presence.

I would like to place my sincere thanks to the Chairmen of various sessions, Mr. Madhukar Gupta, Secretary-Deptt. of Fertilizers, Mr. P. S. Gahlaut, Mr. Viren Kaushik, and Dr. R. B. Singh.  We are grateful to all the speakers for making excellent presentations and sparing their valuable time.

I    thank   all   the   Rapporteurs    for  taking  notes   and   preparing the discussion reports which will help us in finalising     the  proceedings  of  this seminar. 

We are extremely happy to announce that this year we had over 1100 delegates including 125 foreign delegates from various   countries.  We are indeed thankful to all the delegates and the sponsoring organisations  for enabling participation in huge numbers.

We are indebted to all the representatives of the media for the coverage and seek their continued support.

We thank the Management and staff of Hotel Ashok for making excellent arrangements for the Seminar. 

Finally, the organising a seminar of this magnitude   requires   dedication,  hard work and sincere efforts.  The officers and staff of the FAI deserve our deep appreciation   for   the  excellent arrangement.

 I wish you all a Happy New Year 2006 and look forward to meet you again in the next seminar scheduled during  28th, 29th and 30th November 2006. 

Thank you.