Inaugural Session

VOTE  OF  THANKS
 

P. S. Grewal
Vice-Chairman
The Fertiliser Association of India, New Delhi 

Hon’ble  Mr. Ram Vilas Paswanji,  Mr.  Madhukar  Gupta,   Secretary - Deptt. of Fertilizers,  Mr. H.C. Grover, Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Mr. B.K. Saha,  Distinguished delegates and invitees.

It is my  honour and privilege to conclude the inaugural ceremony of the FAI Golden  Jubilee  seminar 2005 on “Economic Growth  through  Agriculture and Fertilisers” by extending a vote of thanks to all of you present here today.

We are  indeed  grateful  to  you  Sir, the Hon’ble   Mr. Ram Vilas Paswanji, Union Minister for Fertilizers, Chemicals and Steel for inaugurating the seminar  and   delivering the inaugural address.  Sir, we are highly indebted  to  you for sparing your valuable time for   inaugurating our seminar and addressing  the   fertiliser  fraternity in spite of the   parliament being in session.  

Sir,  the fertiliser industry which has contributed significantly towards the growth of Indian agriculture is passing through a difficult phase.  The economic viability of the industry is at stake inspite of achieving all round excellence.  The industry has to prepare itself for the new fertiliser pricing policy likely to be implemented with effect  from  the   1st April  2006. Sir, after your address, the industry must have felt relieved on your assurance that any new policy will be implemented after  consulting the industry and no plant will be allowed to die.

In the preceding session Prof. Swaminathan   had delivered the Golden Jubilee lecture on   “Towards an Evergreen   Revolution  in   Agriculture”.  We  would  like to take this opportunity to thank  Prof.  Swaminathan for gracing the occasion with his presence and delivering the Golden Jubilee Lecture.

On behalf of the FAI, I would like to convey my sincere thanks to the members of the diplomatic core and senior Government Officials for their presence.   We are, in fact,  highly encouraged by the presence of Mr. Madhukar Gupta, Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, amongst us today.

I am very happy to inform you that the response to this year’s seminar is as overwhelming as ever.  Over 1100 delegates including about 125 foreign delegates are participating in this years’ seminar. In fact it  is  after a long gap this year, we have delegates from Pakistan also. We owe the success of the seminar to their active participation.  We specially thank Mr. Luc Maene, Director General, Indian Fertilizer Industry Association, Paris, Mr. Bob Morris, President The Sulphur Institute, Washington, Dr. H. Magen, Director, International Potash Institute, Basel and Dr. Shifik Ashkar, Secretary General, Arab Fertilizer Association, Cairo.  We seek their continued support.

Our sincere thanks are due to the authors for preparing excellent papers and being with us for making presentations.  We congratulate the award winners and appreciate the efforts put in by the award committees in selection of awards and the participating companies for their entries for the awards.

We gratefully acknowledge the support extended to the seminar by advertisers, sponsorers of supplement in the newspaper and those who availed the table spaces.

We extend our thanks to all the representatives of the media for the coverage of the seminar and seek their continued support.

We are also thankful to the Management and staff of the Hotel Ashok for making excellent arrangements for the Seminar. 

I would like to remind you all that the Board of Directors of FAI is hosting Dinner tonight at 7:30 P.M. at the Lilly pool Lawn near the main entrance of the hotel. All of you are cordially invited.

May I Thank you once again and request you all to join us for tea at the Poolside Lawn outside the Convention Hall.

Thank you.