Commemorating International Year of Soils 2015

Children's Programme at Regional Science Centre

Regional Science Centre, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS), and Bhopal Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science commemorated International Year of Soils-2015 by organising various activities on 18.11.2015 at RSCB in which around 240 students including teachers and faculties from IISS took part. Dr. A.K.Patra, Director, ICAR- IISS, Bhopal, Dr. A.K. Biswas, President, Bhopal Chapter of ISSS, Dr. D.L.N.Rao, Project Coordinator (BNF), IISS were prominently present on the occasion. The programme initiated with the brief remarks by Dr. Patra and a Popular Science Lecture on theme 'Bright Horizons of Soil Science' by Dr. D.L.N. Rao which was followed by a live demonstration of "Mridaparikshak"- A minilab for soil testing. The soil testing was conducted by Dr. P. Jha and Dr. I. Rashmi from IISS. In the lecture, Dr. Rao elaborated the significance of Soils, gave tips to save mother Earth as well as to persue careers in this field.

Children's Programme at Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal

ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal in association with Bhopal Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) celebrated the “International Year of Soils” on Nov 19, 2015. On this occasion, Dr. Ashok K. Patra, Director, IISS & Patron of Bhopal Chapter of ISSS, Dr.A. K. Biswas, HOD & President of Bhopal Chapter of ISSS and Dr. D.L.N.Rao, National Coordinator (BNF) graced the occasion along with distinguished Project Coordinators, Heads of the Divisions, Scientists and Research Fellows. About 80 children of 8-10th standard accompanied by the teachers representing Jawaharlal Nehru School, BHEL; Red Rose School, Lambakheda; Bank officers School, BHEL Vikram Hr. Sec School; Bonnie-Foi Co.Ed Sr. Sec School; Maharishi Centre for Educational Excellence, Bhopal participated in the celebration.

Dr. Biswas welcomed the children and dignitaries and briefed the audience about the International Year of Soil and its importance in human life SOIL stands for ‘S (Soul) O (Of) I (Infinite) L (Life)’. Dr. Patra briefed the students and audience about the importance of soils for society and how the, institute is striving to address soil related problems and through continuous focused research efforts in tackling those problems through best management practices. He further stated that ICAR-IISS located in Central is looking after the soils of the entire nation. Dr. D.L.N. Rao, National Cordinator (BNF) and Guest speaker of function delivered a special lecture on “Bright Horizons in Soil Science” and vividly emphasized the importance of soils for humanity and human health. He ignited the young minds with his scintillating lecture and inculcating the importance of soil to students so that they may take up agricultural science for higher studies to care soil resources, which is the basis for food and environmental security. Following his lecture an elocution competition was arranged on the topic “Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life”. 12 students representing 8-10th standards participated in it and expressed their interesting views. It showed their interest in understanding the soil resources and society’s duty to care for soil. The winner of the competition Were: Shahbaz Ahmad Khan (First), Jawaharlal Nehru School, Aniket Dubey (Second), Red Rose School and Shikha Yadav (Third), Maharshi School. The details of the first prize winner is given below. There after an open house quiz programme was also conducted amongst the students and prizes were distributed to the winners. Earlier the students were taken to soil museum, and Dr. M. Vassanda Coumar, Scientist explained to them about different soil types and its formation, importance of soil and role of soils in food security. Dr. Pramod Jha, Sr. Scientist and Dr. I. Rashmi, Scientist showed to the students “Mridhaparishak - a minilab for soil testing” and highlighted the importance of soil testing for soil health management. The celebration of ‘International year of soils 2015’ has opened up new vistas to the students and they were greatly benefitted by this function. The function was ended with vote of thanks proposed by Dr. J.Somasundaram, Secretary, Bhopal Chapter of ISSS.

Details of the Winner of Elocution Competition on ‘Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life’

Name: Shahbaz Ahmad Khan Fathers Name: Shri Rashid Ahmad Mother’s name: Mrs. Islami School Name: Jawaharlal Nehru School, BHEL, Bhopal Address: House No. 18, Neerja Nagar (behind CIPET), JK Road, Bhopal Mobile: 9302325633, 7489967821

Workshop and Panel Discussion ‘Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life’

In view of the increasing soil degradation and soil health deterioration, there has been world- wide concern to conserve soil and maintain soil health. The 68th United Nations General Assembly has declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils (IYS). As a part of the program on International Year of Soils, and to increase awareness about the importance of soils in human and animal life and agricultural production in the country, the ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil Science in collaboration with Bhopal chapter of the Indian Society of Soil Science organized a workshop and panel discussion on “Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life” on 19 November, 2015 at the Institute premises located at Nabibagh, Bhopal. This is in line with the flagship programme of Soil Health Card (SHC) of the Govt. of India for assessing and improving the soil health and ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity. Shri Alok Sanjar, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Bhopal was the Chief Guest of the function. Distinguished Policy makers and researchers including Shri Prem Chand Meena, IAS, Agricultural Production Commissioner, Govt. of ; Shri R.P. Mishra, IAS, Director, WALMI, Bhopal; Dr V K Verma, VC, AISECT University, Dr. A.K. Patra, Director, Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal; Dr. K. K. Singh, Director, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal; Dr. V. K. Singh, Director, National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal; Dr. Arun Kokane, Head of Division, AIIMS, Bhopal and Dr. D.K. Solanki, Sr. Manager, IFFCO and a large number of scientists from different ICAR institutes participated and shared their views in the workshop. Progressive farmers from Madhya Pradesh and officials from Agriculture Department of Govt. of MP also attended the workshop. A farmer- scientist interaction program was organized during the occasion. The program was coordinated by Dr. Arvind K. Shukla, Project Co-ordinator (Micronutrients). Dr. A. K. Patra, Director, Indian Institute of Soil Science welcomed the Guests and participants and emphasized on balanced fertilization and fertilizer application as per soil test report. He informed that the Indian Institute of Soil Science is working in the line of Government of India’s plan to distribute 140 million soil health cards in three years. A presentation on importance of soil health and human health linkage was made by Dr. A. K. Shukla, who informed that 28 million tonnes of nutrients are annually mined from soil including 188 thousand tonnes of micronutrients. The soil health deterioration has led to deficiency of several elements like zinc, iron, Boron in the soil, which ultimately affects human and animal health. Shri Alok Sanjar, Hon’ble MP appreciated the efforts of the Institute in increasing awareness about the importance of soil and called upon to start a Save Soil Campaign involving students at college and school level. Shri P.C. Meena informed the gathering that World Soil Day is to be organized on 05th December in which the State government has planned to distribute one lakh soil health cards to the farmers. Also, Soil week is to be celebrated in the state of Madhya Pradesh during 05-12 December, 2015. Progressive farmers were felicitated by the Institute in the program. To increase awareness about the importance of Soil and maintaing soil health, a program involving school children was also organized in the Forenoon at the Institute premises.