Early Times Report JAMMU, Nov 14: The Department of Botany at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, organized a one-day lecture-cum-workshop on Hydroponics, focused on the theme, "Hydroponics: A Tool to Mitigate the Problem of Receding Cultivable Land Due to Urbanization and Industrialization." The workshop featured Prof. (Dr.) Gurdev Chand, Head of the Division of Plant Physiology at Sher-e-Kashmir Agricultural Science and Technology University (SKAUST-J), as the resource person. Dr. Suman Bala Sharma, Head of the Department of Botany, in her welcome address, emphasized the importance of hydroponics as a skill-oriented technique that can help students generate income with minimal investment, thereby improving their socio-economic status. Prof. Gurdev Chand provided a detailed explanation of hydroponics, a soilless gardening method suitable for growing herbs, fruits, vegetables, and fodder crops. He highlighted its space efficiency and water conservation benefits, making it ideal for urban areas with limited gardening space. Dr. S.P. Saraswat, Principal of the College, praised the department's initiative and emphasized the role of knowledge creation and transfer in the development of an "Unnat Bharat." The event was coordinated by Ms. Smriti Abrol, a Botany Major student, and supported by faculty members Dr. Anju Koul, Prof. Sugandha Mahajan, Prof. Meenakshi Sharma, Prof. Nisha Bhagat, Prof. Swarn Singh, Dr. Vinod Kumar, and Prof. Rupali Nanda. The program saw a large turnout of students, teaching, and non-teaching staff. The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Anju Koul. |