Activities

The 3rd Annual Meet of NGA marked a significant milestone in the association's journey towards becoming a prominent professional body within the dairy industry. Held on September 27, 2008, in collaboration with NDRI, Karnal, the event featured a one - day National Seminar focused on "Food Safety "Quality Issues relevant to the Dairy Industry ". This seminar garnered widespread participation and emerged as a resounding success.

The seminar served as a pivotal moment, laying the groundwork for NGA to emerge as a beacon of professional excellence, dedicated to addressing the industry's evolving needs and interests.

In a testament to its commitment to knowledge dissemination and industry advancement, NGA, in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Station of NDRI, Kalyani, subsequently organized a two - day seminar on "Sustainable and Integrated Dairy Development in Eastern and North - Eastern Region: Status and Strategies" on December 11 - 12, 2008.

This initiative aimed to explore innovative strategies for fostering sustainable dairy development in regions with unique challenges and opportunities.

NGA's growing influence within the dairy sector was further underscored by its engagement with regulatory authorities. The association was invited by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to provide feedback on the new Draft Milk & Milk Product Regulations - 2009. Leveraging its expertise, NGA submitted numerous suggestions for incorporation into the regulations, which were duly acknowledged during the drafting process. This collaboration exemplified NGA's proactive involvement in shaping regulatory frameworks to uphold food safety standards within the dairy industry.

Furthermore, NGA's ongoing engagement with FSSAI extended beyond regulatory feedback. The association actively participated in meetings and discussions, positioning itself as a trusted partner in the holistic development of the dairy sector. NGA's readiness to undertake responsibilities on behalf of FSSAI or any other government department underscores its unwavering dedication to driving comprehensive progress within the dairy industry.

The 4th Annual Meet of NGA marked a significant milestone in the association's journey towards establishing itself as a premier professional body within the dairy industry. Held in association with NDRI, Karnal, on September 11 - 12, 2009, the event featured a two - day National Seminar centered on the theme "Need of the Dairy Industry - Initiative, Innovation, Improvisation". This seminar attracted a diverse and influential audience and proved to be a resounding success.

Participants explored the initiatives undertaken by both industry and government entities, emphasizing the pivotal role of research institutes in introducing innovative techniques. Furthermore, considerable attention was devoted to elucidating the industry's responsibility in effectively implementing research findings to drive continuous improvement within their operational frameworks.

A highlight of the seminar was the panel discussion titled "Indian Dairy Industry - Vision 2020", chaired by the Director of NDRI. The panel deliberated on strategic steps necessary to position the Indian dairy industry for success in the year 2020 and beyond, with a particular emphasis on enhancing India's global presence in the dairy sector.

The 5th Annual Meet, held on September 24 - 25, 2010, featured a comprehensive two - day seminar titled "Indian Dairy & Food Industry - Future Roadmap for Sustainable Growth" in collaboration with the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal. Dr. (Ms) Amrita Patel, Chairperson of the National Dairy Development Board, Anand, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, lending her expertise to the discussions.

The seminar facilitated in - depth deliberations on various aspects of the dairy and food sector, including the prevailing scenario, governmental policies, the National Dairy Plan, value additions, environmental considerations such as greenhouse gas emissions and carbon credits, advancements in packaging techniques, export potential, and the requisite marketing strategies aligned with international standards.

Building on the success of the previous year, the 5th National Seminar on "Integration of Indian Dairy & Food Industry for Future Sustenance" took place on September 23 - 24, 2011 at NDRI, Karnal. This edition of the seminar focused on exploring the often - overlooked aspects of integrating dairy and food ingredients and processes.

By conceptualizing this seminar, the organizers recognized the pivotal role of integration in harnessing the full potential of the Indian dairy and food industry. The event served as a platform for industry stakeholders to delve into collaborative opportunities, fostering innovation, and sustainable growth strategies for the sector.

The 6th National Seminar on "Global Opportunities and Concerns in Dairy and Food Sector" took place on 28th and 29th September 28 - 29, 2012 at NDRI, Karnal, marking another significant milestone in addressing the evolving landscape of the dairy and food industry in India.
However, amid these opportunities, the industry grapples with intrinsic challenges in areas such as milk production, processing, and the inadequacy of cold chain infrastructure in distribution channels. Recognizing the imperative to navigate these challenges while capitalizing on the burgeoning market potential, the seminar convened luminaries to deliberate on a spectrum of issues crucial to the industry's growth trajectory.

Subsequent to the deliberations at the 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM), it was resolved to conduct the annual meet on a yearly basis, while the seminar would be organized biennially. Aligning with this decision, the Annual Meet and Annual General Body Meeting of NDRI Graduates convened on 14th September 2013 in Karnal. The half - day interaction program garnered participation from over 225 graduates nationwide, providing a platform for engaging discussions and networking opportunities.

During the AGM, the attendees endorsed the proposition for NGA to host biennial meets across diverse regions of the country, aimed at enhancing awareness of NGA's activities among graduates and bolstering the membership base for greater participation in forthcoming events. This strategic decision reflects the commitment of NGA to foster continuous engagement and collaboration within the alumni community, thereby advancing the shared goals of the organization.

The 7th National Seminar on "Dairy Sector: The Key Player for Nutritional Security in India" was convened on September 19 - 20,2014 at NDRI, Karnal, spotlighting the critical role of the dairy industry in addressing the pressing issue of nutritional security in the country.

The imperative to ensure food and nutrition security in India is underscored by the daunting task of catering to the nutritional requirements of such a vast population, particularly amidst pervasive poverty and malnutrition. Against this backdrop, the seminar served as a platform for in - depth discussions and deliberations on strategies to bolster the dairy sector's contribution to addressing nutritional security challenges.

Meanwhile, adhering to established practices, the Annual Meet and Annual General Body Meeting of NDRI Graduates convened on September 26, 2015 in Karnal, fostering a collaborative environment for alumni engagement and networking. The half - day interaction program attracted participation from over 215 graduates representing diverse geographical regions across the country.

During the AGM, attendees collectively endorsed the establishment of regional chapters by the National Graduates' Association (NGA) as a strategic initiative to amplify awareness of NGA's mission and activities. The creation of these chapters aimed to expand the organization's membership base, thereby facilitating broader participation in forthcoming events and initiatives.

The 8th National Seminar on "Indian Dairy & Food Sector: Way Forward to Meet Future Challenges" convened on September 23 - 24, 2016 at NDRI, Karnal, marking a pivotal moment for stakeholders to strategize and navigate the dynamic landscape of India's burgeoning dairy and food sector.

The seminar served as a platform for industry professionals to engage in comprehensive analysis and deliberations, identifying and dissecting the myriad challenges confronting the sector. Participants were tasked with delineating actionable recommendations aimed at fortifying the dairy and food sector's resilience and positioning it to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the evolving market landscape.

Meanwhile, at the Annual Meet and Annual General Body Meeting of NDRI Graduates held on 16thSeptember 2017 in Karnal, the collective emphasis was on expanding outreach and engagement efforts through regional meets facilitated by regional chapters. With a turnout of over 240 graduates from across the country, the meeting underscored the importance of broadening awareness about the National Graduates' Association (NGA) and enhancing membership participation in upcoming events and initiatives.

The 9th National Seminar on "Entrepreneurship in Dairy & Food Industry: Concept to Commercialization" was organized on 14th - 15th September 2018 at NDRI, Karnal. Entrepreneurship being the key to the national development today has become very significant in view of its being a key to economic development. Specific attention has been focused on innovative entrepreneurship, as it can play an important role in contributing to economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction, and can help address key issues. There is a very important role for entrepreneurs to spark economic development by starting new businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to improvement in various key goals such as GDP, exports, standard of living, skills development and community development.

The 10th Indian Dairy & Food Industry in the Amrit Kaal: Opportunities and Challenges" was convened on September 29th - 30th, 2023 at NDRI, Karnal. Aligned with the government's visionary initiative of AMRIT KAAL, which anticipates exponential growth for the dairy and food industry over the next 25 years (Vision 2050). How will India establish its global competitiveness in terms of product quality? The primary focus now pivots towards enhancing the quality standards across the entire food chain. With escalating demand for dairy and food products, these sectors are poised to play pivotal roles in national development.

In tandem with the seminar, a Dairy & Food Expo 2023 was organized, providing a parallel platform for organizations across diverse domains including dairy, food, pharma, engineering, cultures, and related sectors to showcase their cutting - edge technologies. The Expo garnered substantial success, boasting participation from over 50 organizations.

Innovation and creativity have emerged as indispensable drivers for success in advanced economies, underscoring the pivotal role of dairy and food professionals in fueling economic development and advancing key imperatives encompassing GDP growth, exports, skills development, and community empowerment.
In essence, the 10th National Seminar served as a pivotal juncture for stakeholders to collectively envision and chart a course towards realizing the transformative potential of the Indian Dairy & Food Industry in the dynamic milieu of Amrit Kaal, transcending challenges to unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth and development.

The 11th National Seminar on Indian Dairy & Food Industry in Viksit Bharat: Developments and Innovation was successfully held on September 27-28, 2024, at the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal. The seminar was jointly organized by the NDRI Graduates Association (NGA) and ICAR-NDRI was inaugurated by Ms. Alka Arora, Additional Secretary, DARE & Financial Advisor, ICAR. The event also witnessed the unveiling of the NDRI Song and the Advanced Centre of Excellence, funded by NGA, marking significant milestones for the institute.

The ceremony also honored notable alumni, with the Diamond Jubilee batch of 1964-1968, Golden Jubilee batch of 1974-1978 and Silver Jubilee batch of 1999 -2003 being felicitated. Mr. Lal Singh Dhillon, an alumnus of the first batch (1957-1960), received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Latha Sabikhi and Dr. Bimlesh Mann were recognized for their contributions with the Most Popular Teacher award.

The seminar spotlighted the critical role of the dairy and food sector in the vision of Viksit Bharat, contributing to economic growth, employment, and nutritional security. While challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, workforce scarcity, and market diversification persist, the Indian dairy and food industries are poised for remarkable growth within this framework.

More than 400 delegates from across India and abroad, including professionals, scientists, academicians, senior officials from both central and state government bodies, and industry leaders from cooperatives and private enterprises, attended the seminar. The two-day event was structured around five technical sessions, a technology showcase, and an Institute-Industry interface session. A poster presentation was also held on the first day, featuring over 80 papers across four categories, with winners receiving cash prizes from the NGA.