LUDHIANA: MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora has asked PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal to give him a written proposal for the setting up of a state-of-the-art indoor sports stadium in the PAU Campus.
Addressing the gathering after formally declaring open the 57th Annual Athletic Meet, organised by the Directorate Students’ Welfare at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here today, he added the Central Government runs a scheme Khelo India under which funds are allocated for the setting up of indoor sports stadiums across the country. Arora who was the chief guest at the event added that he would take up this proposal, once received from VC PAU, with the Union Ministry of Sports for its approval and implementation.
Arora gave his best wishes to all the sports persons participating in the event. He said he is delighted to see that the students from on-campus colleges, namely College of Agriculture, College of Horticulture and Forestry, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, College of Community Science; off-campus College of Agriculture, Ballowal Saunkhri; and outstation Institutes of Agriculture at Bathinda and Gurdaspur, exhibited true sportsmanship in all the sports events. He congratulated the winners of 100-mtr race in which Avinash Singh, Deep Kamal Singh and Ramesh were declared first, second and third. Avinash Singh from College of Agriculture completed the race in 10 seconds and broke previous record of 11 seconds of PAU (1995-96).
He said he has been apprised that along with the scientific and professional accomplishments made in agriculture and food sector, PAU has the legacy of producing leading sports persons and artists who are well recognized in the world. He added it is really a matter of pride that sports and extra-curricular activities are the integral and most important part of education programmes in the institutions for the overall development of the students. He lauded PAU and said even Ludhiana is known for PAU. He said the PAU Campus plays an integral role in maintaining better environment of the city.
Further, Arora spoke in detail about importance of sports in one’s life and career. He said the spirit of sportsmanship is necessary for overall development of personality of a person. He motivated all the students to participate in the sports activities. He added sports makes a person healthy and capable to deal with challenges. He was apprised that many budding players are participating in the event and many of them are making new records in the history of sports.
Arora along with Chairman Mandi Board hoisted the University flag, released multi-color balloons and took salute from the sports teams.
He along with others also gave medals to the winners.
HS Barsat, Chairman, Punjab Mandi Board was the guest of honour on the occasion. The PAU Registrar Rishi Pal Singh, Nirmal Singh Jaura & Harpreet Singh Sandhu were among those present on the occasion.
PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal and Dr Nirmal Singh Jaura, Director Students’ Welfare honoured Arora with a shawl and memento.