31 March 2021, Punjab: A farewell party was organised at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to bid adieu to Dr Karanjeet Singh Thind, Dean, College of Agriculture, who attained his superannuation today.
Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, hailed Dr Thind for his 32 years of meritorious service at PAU. Apart from being a good human being, he is a dedicated scientist who has contributed immensely to the field of agriculture, added Dr Dhillon.
Dr Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research, said: “Dr Thind is a kind-hearted and generous person as well as devoted scientist.” Highlighting Dr Thind’s accomplishments, Dr Bains said: “As sugarcane breeder, he has been associated with the development/identification and release of 16 improved sugarcane cultivars of different maturity groups for the Punjab state, two of which were released at the national level. Sugarcane variety CoJ 85, an early maturing variety developed by him, occupied nearly 45 per cent area in the state during the last decade. Another variety, CoJ 84 was released in Pakistan. Besides varietal development, he has been involved in standardizing the protocol of micropropagation of sugarcane and has nine recommendations on sugarcane which have been included in Package of Practices for Kharif/Rabi crops.”
Dr Thind started his professional career as an Assistant Breeder (Sugarcane) at PAU Sugarcane Research Station, Jalandhar in 1989. He has served at PAU in various capacities; as Head, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics; Director, PAU Regional Research Station, Kapurthala; Co-Incharge, Sugarcane Section, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics; and Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement). He has guided three M.Sc students and has strong linkages with the sugar industry of the state. He has to his credit 37 research papers in the national and international journals, and has co-authored two bulletins, contributed two book chapters and 13 popular articles. Dr Thind is also a member of Sugarcane Research and Development Committee of the Punjab government.
Dr Dhillon and senior officials of PAU wished Dr Thind a happy and healthy post-retirement life. Dr Thind was honoured with a shawl and memento.
Dr Thind expressed his gratitude to Dr Dhillon, senior officers, faculty, staff and students of PAU for their affection, support and cooperation during his career at PAU.
