Latest news with #KeralaVeterinaryandAnimalSciencesUniversity
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Enact stringent law prescribing severe punishment for ragging: Kerala high court tells govt
Kochi: High court has urged the state govt to enact a stringent law prescribing severe punishment for ragging in educational institutions, noting that such a measure is essential to curb the menace that continues to claim the lives of students due to the unruly and violent conduct of undisciplined peers. The bench of Justice D K Singh observed that the state must also ensure that those found guilty of ragging are not let off unpunished. The court made these remarks while considering the petitions filed by M K Narayanan and R Kanthanathan, the dean and assistant hostel warden, respectively, of the Pookode campus of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The petitioners had challenged the disciplinary proceedings initiated against them following the death by suicide of J S Sidharthan, a second-year BVSc student, who was allegedly subjected to brutal ragging. Disposing of the petitions, HC directed the university to proceed with the departmental proceedings against the petitioners and complete the same within three months. It also mandated that the petitioners cooperate fully with the inquiry. Further, HC instructed the university to ensure appropriate action is taken against the students found responsible for Sidharthan's death. Sidharthan was found hanging in the hostel bathroom on Feb 18, 2024. Following the incident, the vice-chancellor issued suspension orders against the petitioners on March 5, and a three-member inquiry committee was constituted. The committee's report held both petitioners jointly liable for failing to discharge their duties and responsibilities. Subsequently, the chancellor appointed Justice A Hariprasad, a retired HC judge, to conduct an inquiry into the lapses in the administration of the campus and hostel. His report found that the dean failed in his responsibilities as warden and that the assistant warden also failed to enforce discipline in the men's hostel. The report was also critical of the conduct of the vice-chancellor. The petitioners had challenged the disciplinary proceedings and also the chancellor's communication dated August 12, 2024, which called for action under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Act, 2010 and asked the management council to respond within 45 days. They contended that the chancellor had no authority under the statute to initiate or direct disciplinary action against them. The court, however, rejected their contentions, holding that the chancellor has wide and overarching powers under the Act, including the authority to issue directions to the university authorities, who are duty-bound to comply.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
CM stresses need for one health approach
Thrissur: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said zoonotic diseases , which transmit from animals and birds to humans, are posing a major challenge to the advances made by Kerala in the health sector, and emphasised the need for extensive adoption of 'one health approach' to contain this threat. Inaugurating the new hi-tech laboratory at the College of Veterinary Animal Sciences, the CM said the govt has allocated Rs 33cr for setting up a centre of excellence in one health at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Pookode in Wayanad. "Kerala has achieved globally acclaimed gains in several health parameters. But of late we are facing some worries in these areas. Rise in infectious diseases is one of the major causes of these worries, and it is important to note that a lion's share of the infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin. In order to tide over this we have adopted the 'one health policy' which treats the environment and all living beings, including humans, as a continuum or a single unit," the CM said. "Our objective is to create a healthy society, and for this it is not sufficient to ensure the health of humans alone. We need to take a proactive approach to ensure the health of the whole environment, including the entire living beings," he said, adding that the advanced referral-analytical-diagnostic laboratory inaugurated at the college will be a critical infrastructure to realise these objectives. The laboratory set up at a cost of Rs 32cr is expected to make vital contributions in research and training in multiple areas, like healthcare, disease prevention and food security," Vijayan said. Later inaugurating the 'Water Efficient Thrissur' project of the Thrissur corporation, the CM said the govt will ensure drinking water supply to all in the state soon. He claimed that the govt could provide safe drinking water to 55% of the rural families in Kerala and the per capita water availability in the state has shot up to 100 litres. While receiving the guard of honour at the passing out parade of the 144 women police constable recruits at the Kerala Police Academy, the CM said the govt has been taking continuous steps to induct more women in police.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Modern lab complex to be inaugurated at Mannuthy veterinary varsity
A state-of-the-art laboratory complex has been completed at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The facility, located on the Varghese Kurien Institute of Dairy and Food Technology campus, will be officially inaugurated and dedicated to the public by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on June 16. Alongside the lab inauguration, the Chief Minister will also inaugurate a new girls' hostel and an auditorium at the Varghese Kurien Institute of Dairy and Food Technology. The ceremony will be presided over by Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J. Chinchu Rani, while Revenue Minister K. Rajan will deliver the keynote address. University Vice-Chancellor K.S. Anil, Registrar P. Sudheer, and other dignitaries will be present. Constructed with a financial outlay of ₹32 crore under the NABARD RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund) scheme, the 45,000 sq. ft. lab is equipped for advanced research, testing, and training in disease prevention, health, and food safety. The lab will offer a wide range of services under one roof, including diagnosis of various diseases, testing of food and drinking water samples, analysis of animal feed quality, and assessment of mineral content in soil — services already provided by the university. In response to the growing number of female students — who now constitute 70% of the university's student body — a new hostel with 17 rooms and a total area of 10,000 sq. ft. has also been constructed, with the first floor now ready for occupancy.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Dishing out tasty treats made of milk
Megha Anoop Ever-tasted the sweet winter delicacy of Punjab called Pinni? Made with roasted wheat flour, sugar, ghee and nuts, the sweet can be sampled at the food stalls run by a bunch of college students in the city. Other than Pinni, one can also try other value-added products made by the final-year BTech (Dairy Technology) students of the College of Dairy Science and Technology at Kaimanam, near Karamana, at these stalls. The products include yoghurt, curd, gulab jamun, payasam, marble cake, cupcake, lassi, sambharam, butter buns, kulfi, paneer cutlets, sip-ups, carrot halwa, and ghee cookies. The college, under Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), encourages students to foster their entrepreneurial skills and apply their classroom learning to real-world production and sales through the university's flagship experiential learning programme, Vaibhavam. The students learn vital skills needed to launch and run a food business through this programme. In their seventh semester, the students receive seed funding to design, produce, and market the dairy-based products. With guidance from faculty members Rejeesh R., Shyam Suraj S.R., and Rachana C.R., they handle every aspect of the business. The early weeks of the semester focus on product selection, branding, pricing and creating FSSAI (Foods Safety and Standards Authority of India)–compliant labels. With the guidance of their teachers, the students craft a business plan for their venture. The whole operation takes 70 days. After that they open the stalls. K-LAIT Every year, a new brand name is coined for the venture. This year, the class of 12 students has named their brand 'K-LAIT', combining K (for Kerala) and the French word for milk. Pinni is a new addition to their product range and is in high demand. Yoghurt is also much sought after, reflecting growing health awareness among consumers. 'Earlier, we used to produce several fat-rich products,' says Dr. Rejeesh. 'But for the past two years, we are complying with the HFSS (high fat, sugar, and salt) mandate under the FSSAI which encourages reducing such ingredients while enhancing health benefits.' 'We also receive pre-orders at the stalls,' says Akshitha V. Antony, a student. Challenges too abound. 'Since it's a short-term venture lasting three-four months, we are not able to buy packaging material in bulk,' points out another student Vismaya Ramesh. 'As we rely on ride-hailing services for transportation, a portion of the earnings goes towards its cost,' says her classmate Devika S. Janaki. The stalls, the students say, are set up at various locations, including government offices, on the museum and zoo premises, and other colleges. A permanent stall is maintained at the BSNL Regional Telecom Training Centre (RTTC) at Kaimanam, where the college campus is located. The students also participate in expos and events. (The writer is an intern at The Hindu Bureau in Thiruvananthapuram)
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
World Milk Day: dairy sector requires support to meet global challenges
As the world celebrates World Milk Day on June 1, the dairy sector stands at a critical crossroads —balancing its crucial role in nutrition, rural livelihoods, and food security with the urgent demands of sustainability and climate resilience. This year, the focus of World Milk Day is on sustainability and climate resilience in the dairy industry. India, the world's largest milk producer, is increasingly pushing for sustainable milk production and nutritional security through the dairy sector. This industry contributes over 6% to the country's GDP and supports the livelihoods of over 80 million dairy farmers. Around 12-14% of agricultural income comes from dairying. India accounts for 24.64% of global milk production, says Dr. T.P. Sethumadhavan, former Director of Entrepreneurship at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. With India's per capita milk consumption at 479 grams per day — far above the global average of 371 grams — the sector plays a vital role in ensuring national food security, he said. Low-carbon strategies 'Globally, dairy is under increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact, especially methane emissions. However, India's largely smallholder-driven dairy system emits far less than the heavily industrialised models of developed nations. As conversations around climate action, carbon neutrality, and clean food systems grow louder, India is pushing forward with low-carbon strategies, native breed conservation, and scientific innovations to future-proof its dairy economy, ' Dr. Sethumadhavan pointed out. Dairy production costs are rising sharply, with quality feed prices surging by 246% over the past three decades, while milk prices have climbed only 68%. In India, less than 28% of milk is handled by the organised sector, including cooperatives, leaving over 70% in the unorganized sector — where quality control remains a major challenge. Crossbred cattle are on the rise globally, with Kerala leading the way at 96%, far ahead of the national average of 30%. While crossbreeding boosts productivity, India is also focusing on preserving indigenous breeds. 'Disease remains a major threat to dairy production. In 2024–25, India's milk output dropped by 10% due to widespread outbreaks. Climate change, drought, and infections such as lumpy skin disease, foot-and-mouth disease, and mastitis continue to inflict massive losses—mastitis alone causes an estimated ₹14,000 crore in damages annually, ' he noted. India's dairy sector needs a focused support package targeting smallholders, women, and entrepreneurs, with aid for production, processing, marketing, and investments in quality control, disease surveillance, and technology. With brands like Amul expanding globally, the sector is evolving into a dynamic business hub. However, the push for A2 milk must avoid misleading campaigns against crossbred cattle. While A1 and A2 milk differ in protein makeup, the debate should remain grounded in science, not marketing spin, Dr. Sethumadhavan noted.
