CM calls for developing veterinary college into a national model institution

Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Thursday said that everyone has to work towards making the Veterinary College one of the best institutions in the country, and that currently, Tripura is ranked second in the North Eastern region in milk production.

He said that in the future, Tripura has to achieve self-sufficiency in milk and egg production.

Dr Saha said this at the 17th Foundation Day ceremony of the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry in RK Nagar on Thursday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Saha said that in terms of infrastructure, this Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry College is no less than other medical college hospitals. Veterinary science, is a little more complex than human science.

“In this field, students have to study a lot. I often heard about the Veterinary College in RK Nagar. I used to get information from the minister and secretary of the department to know about the current status of this college. I have given importance to filling the faculty shortage of this college. It is very important for a state to have a veterinary college. Earlier, there were only one or two seats for Tripura. Now, a large medical college has been built in that place. Currently, there are about 66 seats here,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that India now claims a large share in the world in terms of livestock.

“The development of human life in rural areas is directly linked to livestock. This veterinary college should be developed as one of the best colleges in the country so that the students and faculties associated with this college can feel proud. Now is the era of AI and 5G. Therefore, students and faculties will have to update their studies to keep pace with the times,” said Dr Saha.

At the event, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of improving the quality of veterinary science.

“Tripura is in a very good position in milk, eggs, and meat. Giving information, he said that the per capita availability of eggs in Tripura is now the highest in the North Eastern region, which is a matter of great pride for us. Tripura ranks second in milk production among the North Eastern states. The state has achieved self-sufficiency in meat production. We have to achieve self-sufficiency in milk and egg production in the future. For this, all concerned, along with the government, have to come forward,” he said.

He said that the Green Animal Food Development Project has been started.

“Green animal food is being cultivated on about 286 hectares of land. Duck and chicken farming has started under the Chief Minister's Animal Resources Scheme,” he said.

Dr Saha said that this educational institution should be one that can gain fame not only in India but also all over the world.

The Chief Minister further informed that SHIJA Hospital is going to be built in this area.

“Most likely, I will be doing the groundbreaking ceremony of this hospital on the 5th of November. When the super specialty hospital is built here, a lot of people will come,” he added.

The event was attended by Animal Resources Development Minister Sudhangshu Das, MLA Ratan Chakraborty, Paschim Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati (in-charge) Biswajit Shil, Vice-Chancellor of Tripura Central University Prof. Shyamal Das, Secretary of the Animal Resources Development Department Deepa D. Nair, Director Dr. Neeraj Kumar Chanchal, and others.