Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 571/11

WORLD VETERINARY YEAR CELEBRATION CONCLUDES

Shillong, October 21, 2011: The World Veterinary Year Celebration on the theme “Vet for Health, Vet for Food, Vet for Planet” organized by the Meghalaya Veterinary Services Association in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Government of Meghalaya concluded today at Dinam Hall, Shillong.

Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. W.M. S. Pariat graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Mr. P. Naik, Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Dr. L. Lyngwa, Director, A.H. & Vety. Prof. Dharmeshwar Das, Chairman Technical Committee, Draft Livestock and Poultry Breeding Policy of Meghalaya, Dr. Pranab Sen, Principal Scientist and Head, Animal Health Division, ICAR, Dr. B. K. Mawthoh, Dr. B.K. Mawthoh, President MVSA and others.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Pariat said that veterinary sector is one of the sectors of the State’s Flagship Programme, Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme. He underlined that the main objective of the programme is to promote optimal and effective development and for ensuring livelihood security and growth within a sustainable framework.

Mr. Pariat called upon the veterinarian of the State who has a direct link with the people to take up their profession as a challenge and to put their best effort in order to see that the objective of the government is achieve within the time frame limit for uplifting the economy and livelihoods of the farmer communities in particular and the state as a whole.

It may be mentioned that the year 2011 has been declared as the World Veterinary Year to marks the 250th World anniversary of the first Veterinary School which started in Lyon, France in the year 1761at the initiative of French veterinarian Claude Bourgelat. The World Veterinary Year is observed to celebrate the rich history of the Veterinary profession and veterinarians around the world who continue to render their services for animal and human health.

The Meghalaya Veterinary Services Association started the celebration on 13th May, 2011at Tura and conducted different programme all over the State which includes Mass Vaccination, Farmers Workshop, Brucellosis Screening Programme, Animal Health camp, Technical Seminar, Vaccination cum Treatment camp, Free Vaccination camp cum Seminar on Zoonotic Diseases, Awareness programme on Rabbies, Quiz and Drawing competition for students.

Earlier, Mr. Pariat released the Souvenir of the Meghalaya Veterinary Services Association. The closing programme includes Presentation of the Draft Livestock and Poultry Breeding Policy of Meghalaya by Prof. Dharmeshwar Das and Viral Bioterrorism – A Potential Threat to Society by Dr. Pranab Sen.