Kamdhenu University 12th Convocation: Guv Devvrat urges vets to ditch paperwork, reach farmers
Synopsis
At Kamdhenu University's 12th convocation, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat challenged 676 new graduates to swap air-conditioned offices for village doorsteps — and cited his own farm in Kurukshetra, where scientific methods raised milk output from 10 to 62 litres, as proof that India's livestock gap is a failure of will, not science.
Key Takeaways
Kamdhenu University held its 12th convocation in Gandhinagar on 6 May 2025 , awarding degrees to 676 students .
Governor Acharya Devvrat urged veterinarians to prioritise fieldwork over paperwork and reach farmers directly.
He cited Brazil achieving 40 litres of milk from Indian Gir cows , against India's lower yields, attributing the gap to lack of determination.
Governor Devvrat revealed he raised milk output at his Kurukshetra farm from 10 litres to 62 litres through scientific methods.
92 medals were conferred, including Chancellor's Gold Medals to three female students .
The university signed MoUs with Hester Biosciences Ltd. , Anand Animal Helpline , Bharat Vedika , and Banas Dairy .
Gujarat Governor and Chancellor Acharya Devvrat on Wednesday, 6 May called on young veterinarians and animal husbandry officials to abandon paperwork-driven routines and engage directly with farmers at the grassroots, as Kamdhenu University held its 12th convocation ceremony in Gandhinagar. A total of 676 students received degrees across veterinary, dairy, and fisheries sciences at the event.
Governor's Call to Action
Point of View
But the structural gap he identifies runs deeper: state animal husbandry departments are chronically understaffed in rural postings, and incentive structures reward desk work over fieldwork. The Brazil-Gir cow comparison is a sharp provocation, but the policy levers to close that gap — breed improvement funding, sex-sorted semen access, ethno-veterinary research — require sustained budgetary commitment, not just motivational speeches at convocations.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Kamdhenu University's 12th convocation?
Kamdhenu University held its 12th convocation ceremony in Gandhinagar on 6 May 2025, where 676 students received degrees in veterinary, dairy, and fisheries sciences. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat presided as Chancellor and conferred 92 medals, including Chancellor's Gold Medals to three female students.
What did Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat say to veterinary graduates?
Governor Devvrat urged young veterinarians and animal husbandry officials to move away from paperwork formalities and engage directly with farmers at the village level. He also called for focused research on indigenous breeds like Gir and Kankrej to improve milk productivity and advocated natural farming over chemical inputs.
Why did Governor Devvrat compare India's livestock yields to Brazil?
He pointed out that Brazil has achieved milk yields of up to 40 litres from Indian Gir cows, while India lags behind, attributing the gap to a lack of determination and implementation rather than any scientific limitation. He cited his own farm in Kurukshetra, where he raised output from 10 litres to 62 litres through scientific methods, as evidence that the gap is bridgeable.
Which organisations signed MoUs with Kamdhenu University?
Kamdhenu University signed MoUs with Hester Biosciences Ltd., Anand Animal Helpline, Bharat Vedika, and Banas Dairy. State Animal Husbandry Minister Jitu Vaghani said these collaborations would open avenues for innovation and research in animal husbandry.
What is the 'One Health' concept mentioned at the convocation?
Padma Shri awardee and veterinarian Dr N. Punniamurthy explained the 'One Health' concept, which holds that healthy soil, nutritious fodder, and healthy animals are all interconnected and essential for a balanced, healthy human society. He urged graduates to reduce synthetic chemicals in veterinary care and adopt ethno-veterinary medicine based on traditional practices.
