Girls Shine at Birsa Agricultural University Convocation

Ranchi : The girls outshone their male counterparts at the 8th Convocation Ceremony of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU). Out of 2 Chancellor’s Gold Medals and 14 University Gold Medals, 15 went to female students. These students were admitted between academic sessions 2018–19 to 2021–22. On Wednesday, over 900 students were awarded degrees.

Vishalakshi Choubey, a 2023 graduate in Horticulture from the College of Horticulture, Khuntpani, Chaibasa, received the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for securing the highest marks among all undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. students of her batch. A native of Dhanbad, she completed her 12th grade from De Nobili School, Dhanbad, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension Education at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur. Her parents, Sangeeta Choubey and Jitendra Choubey, are employed in the private sector in Dhanbad. Vishalakshi aspires to build a career in agricultural education and research.

The second Chancellor’s Gold Medal was awarded to Ishita, who completed her B.Sc. (Agriculture) from the Agriculture College, Garhwa in 2025, achieving the highest marks among all students of her session. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Rural Management at Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, aspiring to become a rural development professional. Her mother, Sujata Sarkar, works at Tata Steel, Jamshedpur.
Addressing the ceremony, Governor and Chancellor Santosh Kumar Gangwar said, “Farmers are not only the providers of food but also the foundation of nation building. Their hard work, patience, and dedication bring stability to our lives, society, and economy. Agriculture is not merely related to productivity and income, but deeply connected to our culture, traditions, family values, environment, and philosophy of life.”

He added that India is now the youngest country in the world, with nearly 65% of its population below 35 years. This youth power, he said, will play a crucial role in making India a developed nation within the next 25 years.
“Students are the identity, prestige, and achievement of a university,” he said. “Wherever you go, stay connected to your roots — your village, your land, and your farmers. Progress is meaningful only when its light reaches society.”

Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, the special guest, called the graduating students “brand ambassadors of a developed India.” He urged them to make it their mission to increase productivity in agriculture and allied sectors through modern technology, improve farmers’ living standards, and make India self-reliant and prosperous.
Highlighting Jharkhand’s immense potential in horticulture, he said that even while serving as an MP and minister in Delhi, he preferred to have vegetables from Ranchi over Delhi’s produce. “No peas in the country are as sweet as those from Ranchi,” he remarked, adding that Ranchi grows the world’s largest roses after New Zealand. He advised students to always remain grateful and respectful toward their teachers from whom they have learned.

Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Minister, Dept of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Cooperative, GoJ congratulated the graduating students, encouraging them to think of society, the state, and the nation first, and of themselves later. “This should be the goal of every politician, officer, scientist, and teacher also,” she said.

She pointed out that although 70% of India’s population depends on agriculture, the sector contributes only 18% to the country’s GDP, which is not satisfactory. Due to low productivity and profitability, many farmers are thinking of giving up farming. “If agricultural officers and scientists work more dedicatedly in the field, this mindset can change,” she added. She emphasized that the Jharkhand government has several schemes to increase farmers’ income and empower them, which need to be implemented effectively at the grassroots level.

Earlier, BAU Vice Chancellor Dr. S.C. Dubey welcomed the guests and highlighted the university’s achievements, mentioning that shortage of permanent teachers and scientists is affecting institution’s work in several areas.
The academic proceedings were conducted by Registrar Dr Sailesh Chattopadhyay. After the Governor’s departure, degrees were distributed by the Vice Chancellor, Deans of various faculties, and Associate Deans of different colleges.

Chancellor’s Gold Medal
Vishalakshi Choubey, B.Sc. (Horticulture), Session 2019–20, f Horticulture College, Khuntpani, Chaibasa
Ishita, B.Sc. (Agriculture), Session 2020–21, Agriculture College, Garhwa
University Gold Medalists
Surabhi Sinha, Ph.D. (Agriculture), Session 2020–21, Genetics & Plant Breeding
Satya Pragyan Kar, M.Sc. (Agriculture), Session 2020–21, Agrometeorology & Environmental Science
Shalvi Aishwarya Verma, M.Sc. (Agriculture), Session 2021–22, Genetics & Plant Breeding
Amber Afsana Shikoh, M.Sc. (Forestry), Session 2021–22, Silviculture & Agroforestry
Chiya Rani, MBA (Agribusiness Management), Session 2021–22, Centre for Agribusiness Management, Ranchi
Sameeksha Kumari, B.Sc. (Agriculture), Session 2019–20, Agriculture College, Garhwa
Ishita, B.Sc. (Agriculture), Session 2020–21, Agriculture College, Garhwa
Vishalakshi Choubey, B.Sc. (Horticulture), Session 2019–20, Horticulture College, Khuntpani, Chaibasa
Komal Sinha, B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering), Session 2019–20, College of Agricultural Engineering, Ranchi
Aishwarya Rai, B.V.Sc. & A.H., Session 2018–19, Ranchi Veterinary College
Ambika Raj, B.V.Sc. & A.H., Session 2019–20, Ranchi Veterinary College
Shreya Anand, B.F.Sc., Session 2019–20, College of Fisheries Science, Gumla
Palak Kumari, B.F.Sc., Session 2020–21, College of Fisheries Science, Gumla
Sakshi Anand, B.Sc. (Forestry), Session 2019–20, College of Forestry, Ranchi