I feel greatly honoured to inaugurate “GITAM Centre for Integrated Rural Development” of the famous GITAM University, Visakhapatnam. It is quite interesting to learn that the Centre is focusing on thrust areas like Bio diesel plantation and production, Energy plantation & power generation, cultivation of medicinal, aromatic plants for Herbal drugs production, Production of Bio-pesticides, Bio-fertilizers and organic farming, waste land development with rain fed agriculture, drinking water quality in relation to Public Health, Mobile soil testing laboratory, development of renewable energy parks such as solar and wind in the rural areas.

I am happy to know that GITAM centre is establishing Research Labs and Technology parks to develop suitable technologies, and for on station research and pilot demonstrations. I am further happy that the Village Knowledge Centres and Village Resource Centres are also being established to build knowledge society in each village through Training Schools.

I am sure, the Centre will contribute for the improvement of quality of life of the rural people, by improving their economic status. I congratulate the Management of the Centre and the GITAM University for their novel thoughts for the betterment of rural lives and I wish the Centre’s efforts all the success.