DBCA CH!MERA Thoda hatt ke!!!

Vol.6 No.8 DON BOSCO COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, SULCORNA-GOA. 02/ 04 /2018

NORTH-WEST INDIA TOUR SPECIAL ISSUE

Study Tour- North India - Andrea Cheradil T.Y. B.Sc.(Agri)

An annual study tour was organized as an optional part of the B.Sc (Agri) course for 3rd year- VI semester after

mutual discussion between management, faculties and students. It was decided that the study tour would be

organized to visit North –West India states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and UT of Chandigarh. After due

deliberations Dr. Rakesh Kawle was made the tour in-charge of Study Tour –North India and he was

entrusted with the various tasks connected with the study tour like finalizing the itinerary, identifying a tour

operator and also the financial aspects. Accordingly, Dr. Rakesh Kawle selected Parth Travels as the tour

operator, finalized the itinerary which comprised of renowned agricultural research institutes and well known

tourist spots of North India. The study tour programme was planned for 9 Days and the major destinations

included Amritsar, Manali, and Chandigarh. The faculty accompanying the students for the study tour were

Assistant Professors Dr. Prashant Patil, Rajan Shelke Sir and .Jovita Siqueira ma‟am .

The study tour commenced on 10.03.2018 with our departure from DBCA-Sulcorna college campus and

thereafter we boarded train No 11086 from Madgaon to LTT-Mumbai Double decker at 6.00 am from Madgaon

Goa. We took another train from Mumbai to Amritsar. We arrived at Amritsar on 12thMarch 2018 at around 8am.

On the same day we visited the Golden temple, Jallianwala Bagh and attended the glorious ceremony of beating

of the retreat on the India-Pak Border i.e. Attari-Wagha border. It was a truly patriotic moment and spectacle to

behold!!

In the Double-decker Train at Madgaon “Beating of the Retreat” at Wagah-Attari Border

The next day we visited the Punjab Agricultural University‟s KVK-Amritsar. Here, Dr. Bhupinder Singh Dhillon,

Director, explained the activities, technology transfer and the Rice-Cowpea-Wheat cropping pattern.

We also got a chance to touch and feel wheat, Lentil, Oat, Linseed and Pea crops that we had never seen

before, and also to learn more about the various varieties of tomato, capsicum of which we only had bookish

knowledge though we were familiar with rice, cowpea and other crops that we have done crop production as a

part of our course. Obviously, we made a good impression as serious students at the institute: we were

pleasantly surprised to see our visit featured on the KVK-Amritsar‟s website

Thereafter, we left for Kulu-Manali and reached the next destination i.e. Kulu at mid night to hit the bed right

away. Thus ended a very exciting day and sweet dreams of frolicking in the snow began to descend as we lay

exhausted in our beds, looking eagerly to the excitement which would be in store for the next day at Kulu-

Manali.

The following day we were up with the lark, in fact, even before the birds started chirping at dawn. The whole

day was allocated for sight-seeing, fun and frolic. None of us had seen snow before. Still in our sweaters and

jackets, we visited the Hidimba temple, Ghatotkach temple and the snow-capped mountains of Manali. We also

walked through the coniferous forests filled with pine and deodar trees. This location was a shift from our

normal tropical climate to cold temperate climate showing a vast difference in the flora and fauna. The view

itself was bedazzled and left us marvelling about God‟s creation and the wonders of nature. On the snow

mountains we tried our luck at skiing and also got the chance of a life time to ride the yak. The rest of the time

was spent in the snow, playing various pranks and playing with the snow. Later on, we visited a Buddhist

monastery, did some shopping and partied as well to make this day a memorable and marvellous one.

The next day we visited IARI Regional Research Station, Katrain, Kullu. Here we got to see preserved samples of

vegetable crops like Turnip, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Red cabbage, etc, some of which we had not even heard

of before. We also got to see some preserved samples of diseases and pests. We also got to see plum and apple

trees and immense number of ornamental plants in this centre. The institute also had a unit for apiculture. We

got to see seed production of onion, cabbage, cauliflower; the biotechnology lab and tissue culture lab

instrumental in increasing disease resistance, yield and better adaptability and pollination techniques.

The next stop was at G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development. Dr. S. S.

Samant and Dr. Gosavi explained in brief the objects and working of their institute, after which we visited their

soil testing laboratory, meteorological observatory and medicinal garden, which exhibited the medicinal plants

particular to the Himalayan region.After these brief visits we left for Chandigarh.

The next day at Chandigarh was allotted for sight-seeing, here we set out to explore the famous Rock Garden

for which Chandigarh is so famous for. After a brief one hour stay here, we left for Sukhna lake and in the latter

part of the day before boarding the train back to Goa we went to mall street to shop for clothes, accessories,

shoes and souvenirs‟ for our loved ones back home which marked the final day of the study tour. We set foot

back onto the soil of Goa on 18thMarch 2018.

The teachers accompanying us for the tour were very resourceful and ready to impart knowledge in the field of

agriculture and they also added a lot of charm for this journey, giving us a memorable and unforgettable

experience and all the students of 3rd year B Sc (Agri) are greatly indebted to them for their whole hearted co-

operation, guidance and sacrifice. Overall the study tour was a perfect balance of learning and fun, showering

us with sweet memories which will be cherished by every one of us for a long, long time.

Students at IARI, Regional research station, Katrani, Kulu,Himachal Pradesh encountering the preserved

vegetable samples, tissue culture lab and pollination techniques in different crops

Journey to the abode of the gods!!! -Priyanka Parab T.Y.B.Sc(Agri.)

The white mesmerizing blanket of the snow covering the Himalayan mountains at Manali towards Rohtang Pass

in Himachal Pradesh astonished us and captured our minds with its overwhelming beauty which gave a joyous

pleasure to our eyes while encountering the authentic beauty of God‟s creation, Mother Nature. Our educational

tour of North-West India took me to my fantasy of being in a heavenly environment of such an immense beauty

of nature. The experience is difficult to describe in words or to show with photographs; it has to be experienced

to be understood! It immediately became easy to understand which plants grew here and which would suffer

from frost.

Chal Himachal: In the lap of the Himalaya, the abode of the gods

Oh! The first time we saw, touched, smelt, felt and played with SNOW. What a feeling!

The Chinese wisdom, generally attributed to Confucius, states thus, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first

step.” Our journey began on 10 March from the college campus at a pre-dawn hour so that we could board the 6 a.m.

train from Madgaon to Mumbai.

After the long journey of almost spanning fifty hours, including a transit stop at Mumbai, we alighted from the

train at Amritsar Junction. It was a hectic, joyful, and memorable train journey with so many friends of three

years, and three young teachers only a few years older than us, we hardly felt the time. What gave us further

comfort and satisfaction was the cool and calm environment of Amritsar in Punjab, the Land irrigated by five

rivers. Coming as we did from a Spring time temperature of 34 degrees Celsius in coastal Goa, the ambient

temperature in Amritsar was like being in an air-conditioned hall. The difference was palpable.

After breakfast, with a choice of aloo-mattar, aloo-gobi, aloo-this and aloo-that with paratha, roti or puri, we

visited the „Golden Temple‟ which is known for its peace and harmony. Adjacent to the Golden Temple, there is

historical Jallianwala Bagh which reminds us of the time of freedom struggle for independence from the British

Raj. It never fails to invoke a feeling of patriotism and hearty respect for the great leaders of the freedom

struggle and the people who have sacrificed their lives so that we may breathe the air of freedom in our own

country.

Our brave jawans in the army keep vigil on our borders to protect our lives and our livelihoods without any

major comforts for themselves. We used the Opportunity to attend the grand ”Beating of the retreat” on the

India-Pakistan Border i.e. Wagha border, which came into existence on 1st Dec 1965 after the first Indo-Pak

War. Shri. K.F. Rustoji was the chief and founding father of the Border Security Force (BSF), the para-military

force that guards our borders during peace time. It was really a thrilling experience to see the Indian BSF and

Pakistani Rangers greeting one another even though there are so much friction between our two countries.

On the second day of our study tour we visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU‟, Farmers‟ Science Centre

or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Amritsar. It was so different from the KVK in Goa. The Associate Director, Dr.

Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, informed about the institute and explained the various activities being conducted in

Home science, methods of technology transfer, cropping pattern followed in Punjab i.e. Rice-Cowpea-Wheat.

Here we saw the plants of wheat, Lentil, Oat, Linseed, and Sweet Pea, which we do not find in our state.

Fortunate Forty at Punjab Agricultutre University’s KVK-Amritsar with Dr. Bhupinder Singh Dhillon

who explained to the students about the mandate and functioning of the institution.

After the wonderful visit to snow-bound Manali‟s thrilling and chilling mountains, the Hidimba Mandir and other

places, we visited ICAR-IARI‟s Regional Research Station, Katrain, Kullu valley below Manali. We got to see

vegetable crops like Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Red cabbage, etc. which are known to be grown in cold

conditions and are hardly seen in peninsular or coastal India, though cabbage and now carrots have been grown

in Goa. We even got to see some preserved samples of diseases and pests. We also got to see live plum and

apple trees. They also had a unit for apiculture. We got to see the pollination techniques used in seed

production of onion, cabbage, cauliflower as also the working of a biotechnology lab and a tissue culture lab for

the first time.

The next stop was at G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development,where Dr. S. S. Samant

and Dr. Gosavi explained in brief the objects and working of their institute, after which we visited their soil

testing laboratory, meteorological observatory and medicinal plants garden, which had the medicinal plants

which are specific to the Himalayan region.

Dr.S.S. Samant & Dr.Gosavi at the G.B.Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Kullu.

From Kullu valley, we proceeded to the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the city that was planned and built

before it was occupied. We were fortunate to see the Rock Garden, a fantasy created by Nek Chand who

dedicated it to the spirit of creativity and for which the Chandigargh is famous. We saw the Sukhna lake nearby

and proceeded to the never ending desire of every tourist, i.e. shopping, in Chandigargh with all the desired

clothes and accessories available at very affordable prices. From Chandigargh Railway station we started the

journey back towards home with all the astonishing memories of tour with our classmates and our teachers Dr.

Prashant Patil, Rajan Shelke Sir and Ma‟am Jovita Siqueira who looked after us diligently all through the journey

and brought back home safe with the most enjoyable memories of the college days. Since this was our last

college tour, the days that we classmates shared together have created a lot of fond memories that we will

always cherish. It was really an awesome journey together for “Fortunate Forty”, for that s what we truly are,

with lots of learning experience and joyful memories.

Memories from the past 04 August, 2015 and 23 January, 20 August and 03 October, 2016

North-West tour Clip-board

On 10th march we left for our north tour. There we visited many places. G.B. Himalayan Environment and Development

Himachal unit Mohal-Kullu deals with water harvesting project, entrepreneurship project. They have herbal garden, Agro-

meteorological site, soil testing laboratory, seed storing unit of rare Himalayan medicinal plants. -Tanvy D Surlekar

It was a great learning experience for all of us. Since this was our last tour in this institution, we took each and every

moment in a way that it will surely be in our memories forever. We visited various research stations in Himachal Pradesh

in which G.B. Himalayan Environment and Development institute was one. We also visited ICAR KVK-Amritsar managed by

PAU. Along with visiting these institutions we had a great experience in admiring the various climatic conditions in

different states. That may be the hot weather of Rajasthan and freezing cold climate of Himachal Pradesh. Overall, the

tour was a great learning experience for me and,of course, I enjoyed a lot of it. -Satvashil Devidas

At Kullu we also saw the pollination process carried out in the vegetable crops, like cabbage, cauliflower etc. overall it was

very informative and enjoyable tour with lots of memories to be cherished. - Shweta Gaonkar

The students of T.Y. B.Sc. (Agri) at Don Bosco College of Agriculture of went to the North India tour. On 13th of March the

students visited the KVK-Amritsar, Punjab . Then we visited G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and

Development ( Himachal unit) Mohal-Kullu. There were different types of polyhouses and we saw the tissue culture lab

and the students also visited different laboratories like soil testing, meteorological instruments which were used to detect

the climate and weather forecasting. We also saw medicinal plants. - Krutika Gaonkar

On 10th March the students went to the north tour and we visited different places. On 15th march we visited tissue

culture lab we saw their how the plant are generated through tissue culture.- Veena Gaonkar

After 2 days continuous journey we reached Amritsar. We all were excited to visit the Golden Temple and Jallianwala

Bagh, a memorial of national importance established in 1951 by the Government of India. We went to famous Wagah

border where we saw the “Beating of the Retreat” ceremony. The next day we visited PAU’s KVK-Amritsar, where they

explained the cropping pattern. In the tissue culture lab they explained the steps and showed different stages in tissue

development. We visited Rock Garden in Chandigarh. Then we all were excited to see the beauty of Manali, which we

enjoyed a lot, and after the long day, we travelled back to Chandigarh while we visited ICAR-RRS-Kullu, where they

explained different agronomical instruments and weather forecasting . We reached back to Goa on 18th March 2018. The

tour was informative, each day of the tour was filled with happiness, memories that we always love to keep close to us.

We saw and experienced the difference in culture and flavour that different states behold. - Maria Joby

At Hidimba Temple, Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Editor:- Priyanka P. Parab T.Y. B.Sc.(Agri)