Promoting Agricultural Development in Punjab
Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization established in 2010
Our Mission
The mission of the Foundation is to contribute to enhancement of agricultural research and capacity building at the Punjab Agricultural University
Our Strategy
To contribute to the advancement of agriculture in the Punjab State by improving scientific human power.
It involves:
- Providing scholarships to meritorious students of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU).
- Supporting the participation of graduate students and young faculty in national and international conferences.
- Inviting eminent scholars to deliver motivational lectures to the students and faculty of PAU and GADVASU.
- Giving awards to the Extension Scientists who transfer technology to the farming communities
Dr. Darshan Singh Brar: A Bemedaled World Scientist
Dr. Darshan Singh Brar was an outstanding rice breeder and a biotechnologist. He was the founding secretary of the Foundation. His sincerity, dedication, and guidance were the hallmark of the success of Foundation’s operations. His demise in March 2020 was a great loss to his family, friends, and the Foundation. To perpetuate his memory, his friends and family have established, Dr. Darshan Singh Brar memorial Award. For this purpose, an endowment has been established. Donations to the endowment are most welcome. For further information, please get in touch with the Treasurer of the Foundation. Detailed information about the Award can be obtained from the following link:
Award Recipient 2022
The announcement of the Darshan Singh Brar Award was sent to the Agricultural Universities and the Research Institutes in the country in June 2021. Several nominations were received and reviewed by a committee of eminent scientists. After a comprehensive selection process, Dr. S. S. Banga was selected to receive the inaugural Darshan Singh Brar Award. The details to host the award presentation ceremony for Dr. Banga will be announced soon.
Centre of Excellence for Research and Training
With the generous support of the Department of Biotechnology, the Government of India, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has established the Center of Excellence for Research and Training. It is named Gurdev Singh Khush Institute of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology to recognize the contributions of PAU alumnus Dr. Gurdev S. Khush to the Green Revolution. Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary Department of Biotechnology, laid the foundation stone of the Institute on April 22, 2021
Dr. Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor (PAU), thanked Dr. Renu Swarup for her keen interest in establishing the Institute. Professor Deepak Pental, the former Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, was the special invitee. He emphasized the role of the Institute in advancing the frontiers of Plant Breeding Research and training of future plant breeders
Scholarship Recipients and Dignitaries: March 22, 2022
A total of 65 students comprising 53 students from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and 12 from Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), were presented Merit Scholarships during Dr. GS Khush Foundation Scholarship Award Ceremony at PAU. Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, former Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU; and Dr. AS Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, presented the scholarships to the students. In addition, Rs 25,000 was provided to a needy student. Dr. S.S. Banga, ICAR-National Professor, was announced as the first awardee of the “Dr. DS Brar Award” in agriculture.
While congratulating the scholarship awardees from California via zoom, Dr. GS Khush said: “These awards are recognition of your outstanding academic performance. You are future leaders of the country and will play an important role in the nation’s development and prosperity.” He also paid rich tributes to the Founding Secretary of the Foundation and an outstanding biotechnologist late, Dr. DS Brar, who played a sterling role in agriculture and the development of the Foundation. He thanked Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Secretary of the Foundation, Dr. Gurjeet Sigh Mangat treasurer of the Foundation, and Dr. Navtej Singh Bains for managing the Foundation activities throughout the year. Dr. Khush thanked Former Vice Chancellors Drs. MS Kang and BS Dhillon for hosting the Foundation at PAU
Dr. Inderjeet Singh congratulated the award-winning rural students; he said these scholarships were a step in the right direction. “Once you become something and reach the peak, you will never forget Dr. GS Khush Foundation.” Dr. Dhatt said: “PAU is indebted to Dr. Khush for the technical and financial support. This Merit Scholarship is given to you to learn from him and contribute to society.”
Dr. BS Dhillon, former PAU VC, Dr. GS Sidhu, Dr. RS Tambar, and Ms. Rajdev Brar graced the occasion virtually. Dr. JS Sandhu, Senior biotechnologist, Conducted the Program
Further details of the function can be obtained from the PAU, and the News India sites