Ornamental Fish Festival’ 
organised by College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), received an enthusiastic public response showcasing visual delight and interest of people for ornamental fish.
The event kicked off with inauguration by the Chief Guest, Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU and remained in its full swing with hundreds of footfalls, including school children, traders, students, general public and scientists of the university.
he main attractions of the festival were aquaria made by final year undergraduate fisheries stud
ents with eye catching themes and different ornamental fish v
arieties displayed in captivating aquarium setups to enthral the visitors. The objective of the festival to promote ornamental fisheries through public amusement was successfully fulfilled, as ornamental fish and aquaria were sold like hot cakes, informed Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean COF. The overwhelming response received during the said promotional event will certainly uplift the spirits of the students to develop an entrepreneurial aptitude, she added.
Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur, Principal Scientist, said that the Experiential Learning Programs (ELP) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under ‘STUDENT READY’ program is playing an instrumental role in promoting self-reliance among youth. Dr. Sachin Onkar Khairnar, ornamental fish expert and Dr. Vaneet Inder ELP In-charge coordinated the event. Such events will be organised on a regular basis to create awareness and popularise ornamental fish among pet lovers and nature loving people of the region, they added.
Dr. Inderjeet Singh felicitated the winners of the themed aquarium fabrication, Promotional Tagline, Poster making and Fish rearing competitions held during the festival, with encouraging words to ignite the spark of entrepreneurship among the graduating fisheries professionals. Ornamental fish offers lucrative entrepreneurial opportunities with little investment and space, which can be easily adopted as a backyard fulltime/subsidiary activity by youth and women after formal training from the university, he added. The officers of the university also graced the occasion with their courteous presence to appreciate and inspire the students.
