JALUKBARI, March 31 - A one-day symposium on �Potential of edible insects in North East India� was organised at the Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India� sponsored Advanced level Institutional Biotech Hub yesterday.
The symposium was inaugurated by the Director, Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology, Dr NC Talukdar. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the role of insects as alternative source of conventional animal protein. Coordinator of this programme, Prof MC Kalita delivered his welcome speech pointing out significant data on nutritional value of edible insects. Prof AK Handique, Head of Department of Biotechnology of Gauhati University, acted as chairperson of the session, while Prof PK Saikia, Head of Department of Zoology was present as the guest of honour. Prof JC Kalita, Director of UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Gauhati University, graced the inaugural occasion of the symposium.
In the day long programme, various plenary talks were delivered by eminent entomologists of this region such as Prof RK Bhola of Gauhati University, Prof Dipsikha Bora of Dibrugarh University, Dr T Shantibala of College of the Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat, Dr Hiren Gogoi of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh and Dr Ratul Chandra Rajkhowa of Cotton University.
The academic symposium was witnessed by a good number of researchers and students from different parts of North East and outside. At the valedictory session, honourable Vice-Chancellor of Cotton University, Prof BC Goswami attended the programme as chief guest and delivered his speech addressing the participants. During the end of the programme, Dr Bulbuli Khanikar of the Department of Zoology offered the vote of thanks. The programme was moderated by Dr Shamim Rahman of Cotton University.
